April 29, 2008

Vietnam's frozen fish available in more global markets

Tuna fish from Vietnam is now available in 14 more markets compared to the first quarter of 2007, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

In the first three months of 2008, tuna producers shipped 5,800 tonnes of tuna fetching US$26 million, up 15 percent in volume and 23 percent in value.

Vietnam's tuna is currently sold at US$6.10 per kilo and is seen to remain unchanged in the year's second quarter.

The export of other fish varieties from Vietnam has also reaped successes with frozen tra catfish surging by 41 percent, sillago by 627 percent and cuttlefish by 100 percent from January to February this year.

Germany places as the top destination for Vietnamese seafood in January and February, with volume growth of 67 percent and 50 percent in value.

Surging demand for Vietnamese frozen tra catfish in the US, Russia and Ukraine pushed up the products price to US$3.40-3.50 per kilo compared with US$2.80 per kilo in late March.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that there were big changes in seafood consumption habits in the country's large markets such as Japan, the US and the EU. The demand for small and medium-sized frozen shrimps is now greater than for larger varieties.