Vietnam earned an estimated 604 million USD from the export of aquatic products in April, bringing the total figure of the year’s first four months to about 2.1 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent. 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Japan, the US, China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) were main importers of Vietnamese aquatic products, accounting for 52.2 percent of the total export value in the period. 

Meanwhile, the highest surge was seen in the Brazilian market with 75.1 percent, followed by the Netherlands with 43.4 percent; Japan, 29.5 percent; the RoK, 25.2 percent; China 17.9 percent and Canada 15.2 percent.

Imports of aquatic products were valued at 427 million USD in the four months, 35 percent higher than the same period last year.

The MARD said the price of Tra fish for processing in the Mekong Delta region was higher in April compared to the previous month, fluctuating between 24,000-26,000 VND/kg, while supply remains limited.

According to the Vietnam Fisheries Society, aquaculture contributed three percent to the country’s gross domestic product in 2016. Export turnover of aquatic products in the year increased 7.4 percent year-on-year, reaching 7.05 billion USD.

The figure is expected to rise 5 percent this year, hitting 7.5 billion USD, 65 percent of which would come from aquaculture.

VNA