In February alone, the country generated $1.88 billion from agro-forestry-fishery exports. — VNA/VNS Photo Vu Sinh

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Agro-forestry-fishery exports were estimated to bring in US$4.2 billion during the first two months of the year, surging 5.5 per cent from the same period last year.

These figures were based upon statistics released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of the total, exports of major farm produce earned the country $1.9 billion, which was a yearly increase of 4.2 per cent. Meanwhile, seafood and forestry exports contributed $938 million and $1.1 billion, up 11.9 per cent and 8.2 per cent, respectively.

In February alone, the country generated $1.88 billion from agro-forestry-fishery exports. During the month, some 523,000 tonnes of rice were shipped abroad, generating revenues of $228 million.

Indonesia emerged as Viet Nam's largest rice importer, accounting for 25.2 per cent of the market share, while mainland China ranked second, at 12.51 per cent, due to reductions of 3.16 per cent in import volumes and 7.56 per cent in value.

Other strong growth markets included the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan, while a sharp fall in rice consumption was seen in the Ivory Coast, Hong Kong and the US.

Up to 125,000 tonnes of coffee were shipped abroad in February, generating $210 million. The latest period saw total coffee exports in the two-months rising to 295,000 tonnes and valued at $505 million, increasing 26.7 per cent in volume and 2.9 per cent in value. Germany and the US remained Viet Nam's largest coffee importers, with 18.68 per cent and 13.07 per cent of the market share, respectively.

In the same month, the country sold 35,000 tonnes of rubber to foreign countries for $38 million. However, total rubber exports in the first two months dropped by 3.7 per cent in quantity and 24.6 per cent in value, to 128,000 tonnes and $143 million, with China, India and Malaysia being the largest consumers of Vietnamese rubber.

Also in February, the country spent $1.15 billion on agro-forestry-fishery imports, lifting total imports in the first two months to $3.08 billion, down 8 per cent year-on-year. —VNS