September 24, 2013

In the first eight months of 2013, Vietnam shrimp exports totalled US$1.73 billion, up 22% compared to the same period of 2012, according to Vietnam Customs.

Shrimp exports have recovered and reported continuous growth since the second quarter of 2013, on par with that of the same month of last year. In August this year, shrimp shipment generated US$335 million, marking the sharpest growth of 65.5%. Shipment of white-leg shrimp increased three-fold compared to the same month of 2012, reports Vietnam Association of Seafoods Export Processors (VASEP).

Through August, white-leg shrimp exports of the country rose by 71% on-year while exports of black tiger shrimp increased 2.7%.

So far this year, shrimp exports made up a large proportion of 41.6% among Vietnam's total seafood export value thanks to higher global price and shorter shrimp supply. In January-August of 2013, the increase in shrimp exports compensated for the decrease in other seafood exports including pangasius down 1.6%; tuna (-4.6%), cephalopods (-18.2%) and contributed to push the total seafood exports to reach US$4.16 billion (+4.3%)

Shrimp exports to all markets posted a tremendous surge, in which exports to the US with the growth of 146% in August and 52% in the first eight months of the year. Despite ethoxyquin inspection, shrimp exports to Japan rose 23% and 12.5%, respectively. Shrimp exports to EU went up in August by 54.5%. After the previous decline, shrimp exports to South Korea started to recover with the growth of 96% in August.

The proportion of white-leg shrimp exports out of the country's total shrimp export value is more and more increasing. This year, the proportion of white-leg shrimp is almost equal to that of black tiger shrimp with 46.17%, increasing from 33% of last year.

In upcoming months, shrimp exports are on upward trend while pangasius exports have taken the downward trend since the third quarter of this year at 1.4% in July and 7.7% in August. Amid difficulties in domestic fish production, pangasius exports are forecasted to contract in the forthcoming months. Exports of this item in January-August 2013 reached US$1.13 billion, down 1.6%.

Tuna exports continued to report deep dive of over 20% in recent months. The figure in the first eight months of this year reached US$378 million, down 4.6%. Tuna exports in 2013 are expected to register US$540 million, down 5% over 2012.