Tra fish is being processed in the southern province of Ben Tre. Seafood exports are expected to reach US$6.5 billion this year, a rise of 5 per cent from 2012. _ VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Phan

HA NOI (VNS) — Seafood exports are expected to reach US$6.5 billion this year, a rise of 5 per cent from 2012.

 

The forecast was made by Deputy President of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) Nguyen Huu Dung.

Shrimp exports are expected to value at $2.2 billion, equal to that of last year, while tra fish exports are predicted to bring in $1.9 billion, up 5.5 per cent.

The export of other seafood products are expected to rise by 10 per cent to $2.4 billion.

Dung said that the export of fish and seafood to major markets were expected to recover in the second quarter of this year after a drop of 8 per cent in turnover in the first quarter.

 

Tra fish exports to India increase by 45% Exports of tra fish to India as of March 15 had hit US$2.7 million, representing an increase of 45 per cent year-on-year, according to the General Department of Customs. According to VASEP, Vietnamese tra fish is being sold in many local stores, supermarkets and restaurants in Mumbai and New Delhi. India mainly imports fresh fish and frozen fish slices. The association said that the export of these products would bring high added value. — VNS

 

Exports to the European market are expected to total $1.2 billion, up 5.3 per cent over last year. Meanwhile, exports to the US are estimated to exceed $1.3 billion, up 9 per cent.

The testing on shrimp for the preservative ethoxyquin before they are imported to Japan is also expected to be removed. Meanwhile, demand for fish and seafood products from China, South Korea and ASEAN countries are forecast to increase.

He said that this year, aquaculture will be faced with a lack of capital, rising input costs and challenges related to technical barriers and food hygiene and safety standards.

"Shrimp production would continue to suffer until the emerging early mortality syndrome (EMS) was brought under control," he said, adding that although seafood output levels were stable, quality had not yet seen much improvement.

The prices of imported raw materials were expected to increase by 20 per cent from last year.

Fish and seafood export turnover last year was reported at $6.12 billion, only equal to 94.2 per cent of the goal and that of 2011. — VNS