February 4, 2008

Vietnam projects US$5-billion exports in 2008

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) estimated this year's seafood exports to hit US$4.5 billion, up 19.2 percent on-year.

The country has projected around US$14-billion worth of agricultural, forestry and seafood exports in 2008, up 9 percent against last year.

Of the total, exports of farm produce are expected to bring in US$6.6 billion, up 7.8 percent; forestry products, US$2.5 billion, up 5.9 percent; and seafood, US$4.52 billion, up 19.2 percent.

Vietnam will work to boost the total aquatic output by 10 percent from last year, to around 4.6 million tonnes, including 2.6 million tonnes from aquaculture and 2.0 million tonnes from fishing.

Cao Duc Phat, minoster of agriculture and rural development, said the ministry will focus on developing agro-forestry products processing industry.