Seafood exports to China surge

ABO/NDO – China is projected to become Vietnam’s leading seafood importer from this year’s second quarter with growth of 37%, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam.

Illustrative Image (Photo: Thai Thien).

Vietnam’s seafood export value to China rose to US$1.28 billion in 2017, helping the country become Vietnam’s fourth biggest seafood importer and accounting for 15% of total import turnover.

Nam revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will soon hold a trade promotion event in the northern province of Quang Ninh with Chinese importers.

The ministry will also pay working visits to China to address trade barriers for exports of Vietnam’s staples such as seafood, fruits and rice, among others.

China is currently Vietnam’s biggest trade partner, while Vietnam is China’s largest trader in ASEAN.

Two-way trade reached US$93.6 billion in 2017, up 30% year-on-year, and accounting for 22% of Vietnam’s total import-export turnover. Of the total, US$35.4 billion came from Vietnam’s exports.

In the first five months of 2018, Vietnam recorded a year-on-year rise of 9.7% in aquatic export value to US$3.12 billion. The figure for May alone was estimated at US$671 million.

(Source: NDO)