The value of Vietnamese seafood export is recorded to reach USD 7 billion this year, a rise of 6.6 percent over 2015, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
As reported by the Directorate of Fisheries, in the first half of this year, drought and salt water intrusion in south central provinces and the Mekong Delta region have affected seafood production in Vietnam. In addition, the maritime environmental incident in four central provinces have caused tons of fish died. However, thanks to the drastic instructions of administrations at all levels, the sector saw improvements in the second half.
In 2016, the total fisheries production reached over 6.7 million tonnes, an increase of 2.5 percent compared with 2015. Of this total, farmed fish and capture production were 3.6 million tons and 3.1 million tons, up 1.7% and 3.3% respectively. The total farming area reached 1.3 million hectares.
In 2016, the total area of pangasius farming was 5,050 hectares, producing 1.15 million tonnes, fulfilling the annual target. Meanwhile, the total water surface area in use for raising tilapia was 25,000 hectares, with a production of 200,000 tonnes. The main importers of the product were the US, Spain and Colombia. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the tilapia export value hit US$45 million, an increase of 32% over the same period.
In 2017, the target is to reach 6.85 million tonnes, including 3.05 million tonnes of wild fish catch and 3.8 million tonnes of farmed fish, and product export worth US$7.3 billion.
Dan Linh
