November 8, 2007

Vietnam's catfish exports up 41 percent on-year

Vietnam's catfish shipments have posted an on-year revenue growth of 41 percent, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Catfish farming in the Mekong Delta has doubled to more than 3,600 hectares of water surface in the past five years which supplied almost half a million tonnes a year for export-oriented processing.

Vietnam's biggest catfish supplier -- An Giang province -- reported a total catch of 120,000 tonnes valued at US$320 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 62 and 60 percent respectively.

Experts expect the Mekong Delta will almost triple the water area for catfish farming to 10,200 hectares by the decade's end and produce up to 800,000 tonnes a year.

The Mekong region now earns more than US$736 million from catfish exports, representing a seven-fold increase since 2002.

VASEP forecasts the national catfish export revenue will hit US$1 billion this year due to Vietnam's firm foothold in 75 overseas markets. Catfish currently trades at US$2.7 to US$3.5 per kilogramme.