December 20, 2013

Vietnam's seafood export reached US$650 million in November and through this month the figure reached US$6.1 billion, equalling to the amount reported for the whole 2012.

If this trend continues, this year's seafood exports are expected to exceed the target of US$6.5 billion and to reach nearly US$7 billion, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers (VASEP).

The increase in turnover is mainly attributed to better shrimp sales. Pangasius exports experienced a modest growth, while tuna and cephalopod sales declined compared to the past year.

Shrimp sales achieved a record of nearly US$2.5 billion through October 2013, breaking the previous record of US$2.4 billion recorded in 2011.

Through November 2013, shrimp exports were estimated at US$2.7–2.8 billion and sales of this crustacean are forecast to reach the record level US$3 billion by the end of this year.

The increase in shrimp exports is a consequence of higher prices and a decline in global shrimp production caused by EMS, especially in Thailand, China and Malaysia.

Monthly export revenue of vannamei surpassed that of black tiger shrimp from September 2013 to now. So far this year, vannamei exports have exceeded those of black tiger shrimp in terms of value. Until the end of October, vannamei exports accounted for 49% of the total shrimp export value, and black tiger shrimp, 44%. By the end of this year, vannamei exports may reach the record high of US$1.5 billion.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, through November 2013, shrimp farming area nationwide was 652,612 hectares, including 588,894 hectares of black tiger shrimp farming and 63,719 hectares of vannamei farming. From a total output of 475,854 tonnes, black tiger shrimp accounted for 232,853 tonnes and whiteleg shrimp, 243,001 tonnes.

Farmers in the country's coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Phu Yen reared brackishwater shrimp on 36,879 hectares (5.7% of Vietnam's total shrimp farming area) and produced 76,071 tonnes, accounting for 14.1% of Vietnam's total shrimp production.

This article is made possible through the contribution of www.fis.com.