(vasep.com.vn) In July 2013, Vietnam surimi exports reaped over US$18 million, registering a slump of 24.9 percent compared to the same time of 2012, driving exports in Jan-Jul 2013 up to US$114 million (-23.5 percent).
Between Jan and Jul 2013, surimi exports rose in January (+12.3 percent); however, exports to markets in the remaining months (Feb-Jul) saw a tremendous downfall of 9.4 – 53.6 percent from the same period of 2012.
Lack of domestic raw material was cited to hinder surimi exports. Raw material supply can meet only 60 – 70 percent of production capacity while demand for surimi from markets remains stable. Demand for surimi from EU is unchanged; however, export price up to now saw a slight decline of 10 cent per kilogram compared to the same period of last year.
Along with China and ASEAN, Russia was also considered as a potential market. Surimi shipment to Russia in the first 4 months of 2013 saw a sharp decrease. However, in some recent months, surimi exports to the market shifted towards upward trend with the sharp growth in surimi export value of 81.5 - 310 percent during the period of May to July on par with the same period of 2012.