October 20, 2010

Vietnam's molllusc exports to Israel swell in Jan-Aug

Vietnam's mollusc exports to Israel surged 97.6% in volume and 156.3% in value from a year earlier to 486 tonnes worth US$2.19 million between January and August.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that Vietnamese firms could boost mollusc exports to Israel given soaring demand in the Middle East country. Israel is one of the largest seafood consuming countries in the Middle East with 70,000 tonnes a year.

But the country with half of the area of 28,000 square kilometres is hot deserts has to import most of food such as seafood and meat to meet demand.

Vietnamese firms exported 4,100 tonnes of seafood to Israel valued at US$14.1 million during the period, the association said, citing the Vietnam General Department of Customs.

Between January and August, Vietnam exported 63,600 tonnes of molluscs, earning US$244.7 million, down 0.4% on-year in volume but up 6.9% in value.