HANOI: Vietnamese shrimp are helping to drive a big increase in the country’s overall seafood exports this year, Vietnam News reports, based on data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.
Vietnam will export $8.3 billion worth of seafood this year, an 18% increase, Vasep predicts, based on the $7.6 million worth of exports made during the first 11 months. Shrimp accounted for nearly half $3.5bn worth of the export sales accounted for during that period.
Pangasius, Vietnam’s version of catfish, also saw its numbers continue to climb. It’s been responsible for $1.6 billion in sales, a 5% year on year rise. Tuna exports were at $541m, up 19%, according to Vasep.
The overall growth is in despite of slowing trade with the European Union, which has been warning Vietnam about its illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
