Aquatic exports surge by 23% in two months
VOV.VN - Vietnamese seafood exports during the first two months of the year soared by 23% to US$1.3 billion against the same period last year, with many businesses receiving new export orders, according to industry insiders.
Do Thi Thu Thuy, sales director of Nam Viet Group, pointed out that Tra fish (pangasius) exports rebounded in the reviewed period as major markets started placing large export orders.
Tran Anh Khoa, general director of Anh Khoa Co., Ltd. in the southern province of Ca Mau that specialises in exporting shrimp, assessed that foreign importers such as China and the Middle East currently have high demand for the aquatic product.
Many Chinese buyers are selling directly to retail customers through e-commerce channels, meaning that they need large quantities of goods, Khoa said.
He added that these buyers consider Vietnamese shrimp to be of higher quality than those from Ecuador and India and are therefore willing to accept higher prices.
Sharing this perspective, Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), emphasized that seafood exports bounced back during the two-month period.
In February alone, aquatic exports were estimated to be at US$564 million, down 8% against the same period from last year, thereby raising the two-month turnover to over US$1.3 billion, up 23% on-year.
Of the figure, pangasius exports nearly doubled to US$365 million against the same period from last year, with positive signs from small markets such as the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
In the reviewed period, shrimp and tuna exports both increased by 37% on-year, while pangasius exports and other types of fish rose by 15% and 8%, respectively.
With regard to export markets, there are bright export prospects ahead in China, the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia, particularly as China’s demand for seafood products is recovering well.
In addition, Vietnamese shrimp also has enjoyed advantages over its competitors as Ecuador is being warned due to shrimp containing sulfites along with rising freight rates.
Le Hang, VASEP Communications Director, however, pointed out that the high inventories and oversupply source will affect the consumption demand for major aquatic items such as shrimp and pangasius.
In addition, Vietnam’s seafood exports to the EU market are still facing numerous difficulties due to “yellow card” against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing imposed by the European Commission.
In March and April, seafood businesses are set to engage in the International Seafood Fair programs in Boston, the US and Spain, Hang said, noting that there will be positive outlook for export businesses.
