China, Japan, the US and the EU were the biggest importers of Vietnam’s aquatic products in the month.
China topped the list with growth of 50 percent to USD 109.26 million, followed by Japan with USD 100.71 million, up 18.1 percent.
The US came third with an import turnover of USD 95 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.1 percent, while the EU posted an annual decrease of 9.1 percent to USD 86 million.
In January, most aquatic products recorded good growth, except for shrimp due to fierce competition from markets like China, India and Ecuador.
Specifically, shrimp export turnover was estimated at USD 190.7 million, down 10.6 percent against the same period last year.
On a positive note, tra fish exports rose 34.7 percent to USD 192 million and tuna exports hit USD 48 million, a year-on-year rise of 16.9 percent.
VASEP Secretary General Truong Dinh Hoe said in 2018, the aquatic sector exported nearly USD 9 billion worth of products, a figure expected to grow from 15 to 18 percent to reach USD 10 billion in 2019.
The backbone for this year’s growth target lies in tuna exports because there is plenty of room to develop this fish, he said.
The shrimp sector aims to boost exports to the EU to USD 1 billion in 2019 from USD 750 million in 2018, he added.
Apart from the quality of products, goods certification and added value, businesses should outline plans to make inroads into the EU, Hoe suggested.
He expressed his belief for a better outcome of the aquatic industry in 2019 thanks to new-generation free trade agreements and the State’s favorable policies.
Source: VNA