Ornamental fish production rise 13 per cent in quantity and 32 per cent in revenue over the same period last year. — File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) – Exports of 7.4 million ornamental fish till June this year, earned HCM City US$7 million, according to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in HCM City.

Ornamental fish production went up 13 per cent in quantity and 32 per cent in revenue from the same period last year, which has its key markets mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia.

The exports were mainly neon fish, molly fish, sailfin molly, and seven-coloured fish, in addition to Siamese fighting fish and dicus, which were shipped to 47 countries worldwide, of which Europe accounted for a market share of between 60 per cent and 70 per cent.

Ornamental fish production will be branched out to districts 8, 9, 12, and Go Vap, in addition to Thu Duc, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon, while all breeding farms will join monitoring programmes for exports.

Under a programme to boost ornamental fish breeding, the city will focus on increasing quantity and product value, making upgrades to the breeding infrastructure to prevent disease and protecting the environment.

HCM City expects to earn up to $50 million from exporting between 40 million and 50 million ornamental fish each year, according to the city's ornamental fish development programme from 2016 to 2020.

Besides ornamental fish, the city has sold 4,307 crocodiles and 2,020 pieces of crocodile hide from the beginning of this year. – VNS