August 14, 2008

The EU takes the lead in importing Vietnamese seafood in the first half of 2008, valued at US$504.9 million, up 17.23 percent on-year, the Vietnam Trade Information Center said.

The centre reported that the EU contributes to more than 25 percent of Vietnam's total seafood export revenues.

Among EU countries, Germany was the biggest importer of Vietnamese seafood, buying US$88.1 million in January-June period, up more than 17 percent on-year.

Meanwhile, Italy imported US$81.7 million, up nearly 30 percent; Spain imported US$79.1 million, up 17 percent and Holland imported US$66.5 million, up 4.01 percent on-year.

The centre said other biggest importers of Vietnamese seafood included Japan, the US and South Korea.

In terms of seafood items, frozen fish exports were the biggest forex cash of Vietnam with total value hitting more than US$1 billion, up 36 percent on year. Following was frozen shrimp with US$614.2 million, up 5.56 percent.

Exports of cuttle-fish, octopus, crab and oyster also increased 95.37 percent, 11.96 percent, 8.76 percent and 37.53 percent, respectively.

Vietnam raked in more than US$2 billion from seafood exports in the first six months, up 26 percent on-year.