Shrimp exports accounted for 46 per cent of the total fisheries exports. — File Photo

That figure far exceeds the annual turnover target for shrimp exports in 2013. The jump in revenue was attributed to the rising global prices of shrimp.

The statistics from Vietnam Customs showed that last year, Vietnamese shrimp exports were consumed in 88 markets worldwide and generated revenues of $3.1 billion, 39 per cent higher from 2012. The increased exports of shrimp not only compensated for the decline in the exports of other fishery products but also helped to improve the country's total fisheries exports.

Viet Nam's total fisheries exports exceeded the target of $6.5 billion, which represents a year-on-year increase of 9.7 per cent. Shrimp exports accounted for 46 per cent of the total fisheries exports.

The exports of white-leg shrimp generated a turnover of nearly $1.58 billion, which represents a year-on-year increase of 113 per cent. Meanwhile, prawns earned export revenue of $1.33 billion, up nearly 6.3 per cent against 2012. An increase in the global prices and high demand from shrimp importers helped to raise the productivity of white-leg shrimp farming, from 33.1 per cent in 2012 to 50.7 per cent in 2013.

Last year, Vietnamese shrimp exports went to mostly 10 key countries, including Japan, the United States (US), the European Union (EU), China and Taiwan. The US showed the highest increase in demand, an 82.5 per cent jump, to $831 million. Japan was placed second, with an import value of $708 million, while shrimp exports to the EU also saw an impressive recovery to more than $409 million. -- VNS