(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a decline in the second quarter of 2019, Vietnamese bivalve mollusk exports grew well in the third quarter of 2019 with an increase of 25.5% to US$25.4 million. In the first 9 months of 2019, Vietnamses export of this item reached nearly US$69 million, up 4.3% year on year.
As of the end of September 2019, Vietnam exported bivalve mollusk to 56 markets, more than that of in the same period in 2018 with 50 markets.
EU, US and Japan were the three largest markets, accounting for 90% of Vietnamese bivalve mollusk exports, of which the EU accounted for 66% (compared with 63% in the same period in 2018), and the US represented for 13% (compared with 11% in the same period in 2018) and Japan made up for 11% (compared with 9% of the same period in 2018).
In the third quarter, among the top 6 main importers, bivalve mollusk exports to the EU, the US, Japan, and South Korea grew by double digits, exports to ASEAN increased slightly, but exports to China fell by two digits.
In the first 9 months of 2019, bivalve mollusk exports to the EU increased by 8.6% to US$45.5 million. Spain, Portugal and Italy were the 3 main markets in the bloc in terms of bivalve mollusk imports from Vietnam. Exports to Spain and Italy increased by 22% and 11% respectively while exports to Portugal decreased by 2% compared to the same period in 2018. Exports of this product to the US and Japan remained the double-digit growth momentum of 18% and 32% respectively in the first 9 months of 2019.
After the EU, the US, Japan, exports to the next three major markets (ASEAN, South Korea, and China) all recorded double-digit declines.
The demand for bivalve mollusk in the world market is still high, more and more consumers prefer this product. The price of bivalve mollusk may remain high and is likely to continue to rise in markets.
Vietnam currently exports mainly frozen boiled white and brown clam products to EU and the US markets. Frozen boiled white and brown clams were exported to Portugal and Spain with prices from US$1.2 to US$1.9/kg, CFR. Frozen boiled white clams exported to the US cost US$0.8-1.2/pound. Frozen Arctic surf clam slice of all sizes are exported to Japan for about US $ 4.2/kg, CFR; live and frozen white clams exported to Korea cost about US$1.6 /kg, CFR.