HANOI: The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said seafood exports in the first three months of this year reached $1.4 billion, a 9% year on year increase, reports Saigon Giai Phong Daily.
Vietnamese seafood exports increased in major markets. The US saw a 21% rise, China grew by 33% and other Asian exports were up 22%. VASEP chairman Ngo Van Ich said that the export of two major products including shrimp and pangasius gradually leaped with turnover of US$600 million and of US$358 million respectively in first quarter.
But challenges remain. Pangasius breeders hesitate to invest more because of low prices and banks have refused loans requested by fish breeders. The department of agriculture is also worried because drought and salinity has been causing shrimp to die in great numbers.