The year 2010 could continue to be a successful year for Vietnam's dried seafood industry as the country exported 43,000 tonnes of dried seafood last year, reaping US$160 million, an increase of 31.2% in quantity and 9.9% in value compared to 2008, according to the General Department of Customs (GDC).

Vietnam's dried seafood products have been welcome in more than 50 countries worldwide. Most of the markets have seen very satisfactory two to three digit growth rates year after year.

In the past, ASEAN, South Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan are the main export markets for Vietnam's dried seafood products, which combined to make up 80% of Vietnam's dried seafood exports.

In 2009, South Korea, surpassing ASEAN, became the biggest import market for Vietnam's dried seafood, consuming approximately 12,000 tonnes with an increase of 147.3% from 2008. The average export price was US$3.49 per kilogramme.

However, Vietnam has not been paying adequate attention to pushing up the export of dried seafood as tra, basa, fresh shrimp and various frozen products remain the country's priority in seafood exports, according to analysts.

Some traders said that Vietnamese export products lack proper labeling and packaging as most enterprises have not been aware of the importance of marketing and they do not have long term strategies to 'conquer' export markets.

Meanwhile, in the first three months of 2010, Vietnam exported 6,258 tonnes of dried seafood worth US$24.2 million, according to GDC. In March alone, Vietnam exported 3,232 tonnes of products valued at US$.8 million, an increase of 45.4% in quantity and 3.5% in quality on-year.