VN’s Tra fish exports to China continue to thrive
VGP – Viet Nam’s tra fish (pangasius) exports to China continued to record year-on-year strong growth of 43% to US$145 million in the first four months of 2018, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
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With this outcome, China has surpassed the U.S. to become the biggest importer of Vietnamese tra fish.
Tra and basa fish account for a mere 5.7% of China’s total import of white fish.
The VASEP forecast the export turnover of tra fish to the market will increase in the second quarter of 2018.
VASEP forecast the demand for whitefish in China would continue to increase in the coming time, creating opportunities for Vietnamese tra fish exporters.
In the first half of the year, tra fish exports to China will be higher than the year-ago period. However, growth will be lower although China is still a key buyer of Vietnam’s tra fish.
As of late 2017, the total area of tra fish farming was 5,230 ha, up 3.5% year-on-year, mainly in the Mekong Delta region
The export turnover of tra fish is expected to reach US$2 – 2.2 billion in 2018, making up 31.5% of the fishery industry’s total export value.
Currently, Viet Nam is the third largest provider of white fish for China, after Russia and Norway.
By Vien Nhu
