June 6, 2013

Vietnam imported non-processed fish for a total US$131 million in the first three months of 2013, a figure that represents an increase of 15% on-year.

This is according to data released by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) in cooperation with Vietnam Customs.

Taiwan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were Vietnam's most important exporters of fish, each making up 12.3% of the total value of Vietnamese imports, at US$16.3 million. Next was the EU with nearly 10.8%.

Japan, located behind Taiwan, was the second exporter country, with shipments for US$12.6 million, equivalent to 9.5% of the total value of Vietnamese imports.

In third position was India with US$12.2 million worth of seafood supplies. It was followed by Norway, in fourth place, with US$11.9 million; and Chile in fifth place with US$8.3 million.

Further back was Poland, with US$7.6 million, and Thailand, in seventh place with US$5 million. South Korea, in eighth place, exported products to Vietnam for US$4.6 million. Indonesia, in the ninth position, for US$4 million; and Ecuador in 10th place for US$4.4 million. US was located in the 11° position with sales for US$4 million.

Marine fish species were the most imported items in terms of value: making up 48.5% of the whole at US$64 million. Shrimp comprised 24.8% at US$33 million; tuna 19.5% at US$26 million; and squid and octopus 4.4% at US$5.8 million. Bivalve mollusks represented 2.1% at US$2.8 million while other marine fish stood at US$967,633.