July 12, 2006

Demand for Vietnamese catfish shoots up in Russia and the EU

Russia has emerged as the biggest importer of Vietnam's "tra" and "basa" catfish, buying 16,000 tonnes of the products in the first six months of this year from just 500 tonnes the same period last year.

The European Union (EU), the largest bloc market for the Vietnamese product, imported 37,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, triple the amount imported the same period last year. 

These two markets now make up two thirds of the country's exports of "tra" and "basa" catfish.

Within the EU, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands were the leading importers.

Vietnam's analysts said these achievements were a good indication of the expanding export market for Vietnamese seafood.

Last year, Vietnam exported 141,000 tonnes of "tra" and "basa" catfish, netting revenues of US$328 million.