Viet Nam’s seafood export turnover is expected to reach US$8.3 billion this year, posting an 18 per cent increase over 2016, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Statistics released by the association showed that in the first 11 months of the year, the country’s seafood export turnover was estimated at more than $7.6 billion, representing an increase of 18 per cent year-on-year. In November alone, export turnover rose by 11 per cent from the previous month to reach $733 million.

Specifically, the shrimp export turnover was $3.5 billion in the January-November period, increasing 22 per cent from the corresponding period last year. The tra catfish turnover posted a 5 per cent year-on-year rise to $1.6 billion. The product’s turnover this year is expected to reach $1.8 billion, or a 4 per cent increase from last year.

The tuna export turnover in the period increased by 19 per cent from the same period last year to $541 million, and is predicted to earn $600 million this year. Exports of squid and octopus in 2016 reached $565 million, up 48 per cent, and are expected to reach over $600 million, up 37 per cent over 2016.

The market has seen slow growth in recent months. Seafood exports to the European Union (EU) are forecast to continue reducing this month due to the effects of the EU’s warning about illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported that the seafood output in the first 11 months of the year reached over 3 million tones, representing a 4 per cent year-on-year rise.

The aquaculture output in November was 345,000 tonnes, bringing the total output in 11 months to 3.51 million tonnes, up 8 per cent from the same period last year.

The ministry said tuna output in the three central costal provinces was 17,390 tonnes, including Binh Dinh at 9,700 tonnes; Khanh Hoa at 3,806 tonnes and Phu Yen at 3,976 tonnes. The price of tuna ranges from VND96,000 ($4.2) to VND115,000 per kilo.

The tra catfish aquaculture area in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region in the first 11 months of the year also rose by 2 per cent from last year to 5,822ha, and output of over 1.2 million tonnes. Dong Thap Province has the highest output of 436,000 tonnes, up 1.4 per cent from the corresponding period last year. It was followed by An Giang with 258,000 tonnes and Can Tho with 171,500 tonnes.

The price of tra catfish was stable last month at VND26,000-28,000 per kilo.

The shrimp aquaculture area also continued to increase to 562,000ha and output of 237,600 tonnes. — VNS