July 26, 2011

Vietnam tra fish exports worth US$828 million in H1

Vietnamese tra fish exports were worth US$828.6 million in the first half of this year, according to the Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters.

It represents an increase of 27% on-year, while volume was up 4.9%. The average export price in June was US$2.79 per kg, compared to US$2.15 a year earlier.

Exports to the US have surged this year, nearly doubling to more than US$118 million by June 15.

Exports to South American countries and ASEAN members were also sharply up, including a 137% rise in shipments to Brazil, and 42% to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

Speaking at a meeting held in Can Tho last Friday (Jul 22), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said the production and consumption of tra in the first half had exceeded targets. Tam attributed this to the sector's focus on quality rather than quantity, the improving global image of Vietnamese tra, and the close co-operation between farmers and processors.

By the end of June the area under tra fish farms had risen by 385 hectares on-year to 3,980 hectares. Of this, 1,933 hectares have been harvested, yielding 597,324 tonnes.

The price of Tra remained high in the first half at VND23,000-29,500 (US$1.17-1.43) per kg, the Directorate of Fisheries said.

However, since May an abundant harvest has pushed down prices by VND3,000-5,000 (US$0.14-0.24).