July 2, 2005

Vietnamese seafood exports to Australia up 50 percent

The value of Vietnam's seafood exports to Australia in the first six months of this year totalled around US$30 million, up by nearly 50 percent over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP said Australia ranks sixth among countries importing seafood from Vietnam. Products exported there include frozen shrimp which is 44 percent of the total value, and tra, basa catfish which make up 32 percent.

Vietnamese seafood businesses do also export iced octopus and squid and other processed and tinned products in small volume.

There are currently 64 Vietnamese firms exporting seafood to Australia. The Vietnamese Ministry of Trade is encouraging the development of new products such as fresh shrimp and fish, processed, packed, and tinned products.