January 11, 2018

Vietnam seafood exports up 19% in first 11 months of 2017

Vietnam's seafood exports in the first 11 months of 2017 reached over US$7.6 billion, up 19% compared with the same period in 2016, according to preliminary statistics released by the General Department of Vietnamese Customs.

The US, Japan and China were the top three importers of Vietnamese seafood. Exports to the US reached over US$1.3 billion, accounting for 17% of total seafood exports. Shipments to the US, however, dropped 1.74% during the 11-month period.

Vietnamese seafood exports to Japan from January to November were estimated at nearly $1.2 billion, accounting for 20%, while those to China reached $1 billion, accounting for 13.3% and increasing by 64.4%.

Most of the main importing markets recorded positive growths during the period, with Denmark registering the strongest growth rate of 88.7%. Export value reached $61.52 million.

Vietnam's seafood exports also rose in several markets including Israel, up 63%; Brazil, up 72.5%; the Philippines, up 60.6%; and China, up 64.4%.

Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first 11 months in 2017 was estimated at nearly $3.5 billion, an increase of 22% compared with the same period in the previous year. It is forecast that shrimp export value in 2017 will reach $3.8 billion, or an increase of 20% from 2016.

Meanwhile, tra fish export value in the first 11 months reached $1.627 billion, or an increase of 5.3% compared with the same period in 2016. In 2017, tra fish export value is expected to reach $1.79 or $1.8 billion, which is mainly attributed to increase in China's purchase.