A tra fish processing plant in Can Tho. — VNS Photo Hoang Vu

CAN THO (Biz Hub)  — Viet Nam's tra fish exports fell marginally in the first 10 months to US$1.4 billion, the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) told a seminar in Mekong Delta Can Tho City on Thursday.

The fish was exported to 149 countries and territories with the major markets being the US and EU, buying almost 45 per cent – and accounted for 26 per cent of total seafood exports and second only behind shrimp.

According to VASEP, in the Mekong Delta tra fish is farmed on 4,679ha, only 87 per cent of the area last year. More than 1 million tonnes have been harvested this year at an average of 276 tonnes per hectare.

Deputy chairman of the Vietnamese Tra Fish Association Vo Hung Dung said the industry faced difficulties since the farming area had shrunk.

Exports to the US rose 5.1 per cent this year but the EU bought 10.7 per cent less compared with the same period last year.

Exports to the 14 markets in the Middle East have also declined.

The seminar discussed issues relating to the title "Developing Markets and Raising Value Addition of Tra Fish in the Mekong Delta", including the work on brand building.

It was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Farm, Forestry and Seafood Processing Department, and the Vietnamese Tra Fish Association. — VNS