While the country saw a plunge in some key seafood products such as shrimp and pangasius, some other products such as oyster and sea cucumber showed a surge in both export volume and value.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, of all 22 exported seafood categories, some skyrocketed such as oyster and sea cucumber. More than 73 tons of sea cucumber were exported in six months, valued USD 1.7 million, up 160% in volume and 40% in value as compared to the same period last year.
The average price of sea cucumber stayed at about 23.3 USD/kg (555,000 dong/kg)
In May alone, sea cucumber exports increased nine times in volume and over twenty times in value from a year earlier. Sea cucumber is regarded as a “sea ginseng” for its high nutrients which is good for health. Thus, live and fresh sea cucumbers are highly priced, about 500,000 – 1,700,000 dong/kg on average, up to types.
Oyster exports jumped in the first half of 2023, with more than 2,700 tons being shipped, valued over USD 5 million, up 100% in volume and 81% in value as compared to the same period last year.
VFM
