Vietnam catfish exports seen to fall short of target

Vietnam expects to make US$1.2 billion in exports of tra and basa catfish this year, against the target of US$1.3 billion.

Local media reports said tra and basa exports are expected to recover in the second half of this year but the yearly target is not expected to be met, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP said exports of tra and basa would improve later this year due to the value of the euro was expected to increase against the US dollar.

The EU is the largest export market for Vietnamese catfish, accounting for almost 50 percent of Viet Nam's tra and basa export value.

In addition, exports of the fisheries to Russia have picked up. Since May, catfish processors exported 16,000 tonnes of products made from the fishes to Russia, including 7,500 tonnes of fillet.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said Russia's demand for Vietnamese fish was increasing sharply, and it is expecting exports of tra fillets to rise to 10,000 tonnes a month, in addition to other products made from the fish.

Vietnam expects to export 70,000 tonnes tra and basa to Russia by the end of this year.