WASHINGTON: In January and February Vietnamese pangasius exports increased by 5.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2015 to USD 237.3 million, according to data released by Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers (VASEP).
Shipments to the two largest markets — the United States and the European Union – experienced a year-on-year increase of 14.7 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively; making up 40.5 per cent of total exports.
During the analysed period, Vietnamese pangasius exports to Brazil reached USD 14.5 million, representing the strongest growth of 642.7 per cent and turning the South American country into the 5th largest market of the species, after the US, the EU, China – Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Statistics reported by VASEP showed that there was a year-on-year 11.6 per cent decline in Vietnamese exports to the Netherlands compared to the two first months of the year, and sales to the UK declined by 11.8 per cent. There was also a drop in exports to Mexico (-48.6 per cent); Colombia (-17.6 per cent); and Saudi Arabia (-3.5 per cent).
VASEP highlighted that during January-February this year, Vietnamese pangasius exports to the US were not affected by the catfish inspections program of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). These exports reached USD 56 million, accounting for 23.6 per cent of total exports and representing 14.7 per cent year on year.
Sales to the EU reached USD 40.2 million in the first two months, up 0.4 per cent compared to the same time of 2015. Within the EU block, exports to the Netherlands and the U.K showed a decrease while those to Spain and Germany increased.
Exports to the Chinese market touched USD 25.4 million, representing a 32.6 per cent growth over the same period of 2015. Until February, Vietnam sold USD 21.5 million of pangasius to ASEAN, representing a 9.8 per cent growth compared to the same period of 2015. Within the group, exports to Thailand and Singapore increased whereas those to the Philippines declined.
