July 9, 2008

Vietnam's H1 seafood exports up 16 percent

Vietnam's seafood shipments in the first half of 2008 has reached US$1.91 billion, up nearly 16 percent compared to the same period last year, data from the General Statistics Office show.

Total output from January to June reached more than 1 million tonnes, up 51 percent against the target but 0.3 percent down compared to the same period last year.

Authorities say weather conditions have been quite favourable for seafood production since early in the year. Total volume in June was estimated to reach 165,000 tonnes wherein sea catch output hit 154,000 tonnes and inland catch output, 11,000 tonnes.

The statistics shows that the aquaculture output in June reached 318,000 tonnes, bringing a total aquaculture output in the first half to over 1 million tonnes, up 43.5 percent against the target and nearly 25 percent year on year.