April 9, 2008

Vietnam seafood, agro-forestry exports earn US$3.2 billion in Q1

Seafood and agro-forestry exports of Vietnam have generated US$3.2 in the first quarter of 2008, up 11 percent over the same period of last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Value of agricultural products was US$1.7 billion, up 11.5 percent; wooden furniture was US$712 million, up 12 percent; and seafood exports reached nearly US$800 billion, up 11.5 percent on year.

The high revenues were due to surging global demands for seafood and agriculture products, reports the MARD.

Of the nine key farm produces, rice revenues export were the highest at 42.6 percent to US$366 million, followed by tea export with more than 42 percent (US$27 million); cashew nut with 37 percent (US$143 million); pepper with 27.8 percent (US$55 million); woodwork with 21.3 percent (US$691 million); rubber with 17.9 percent (US$281 million); and seafood with 11.4 percent and vegetable and fruit with 11.3 percent.

Coffee export, the biggest cash earner posted modest growth of 2.7 percent in revenues and sharp drop of 26 percent in volume, with US$795 million and 398,000 tonnes.

Early this year, the MARD is aiming to reach US$14 billion from agriculture, forestry and seafood exports for 2008, up 9 percent against last year.

Of the total, exports of farm produce are expected to bring in US$6.6 billion, up 7.8 percent; forestry products, US$2.5 billion, up 5.9 percent; and seafood, US$4.52 billion, up 19.2 percent.