Aquatic exports shrink due to COVID-19 pandemic

VGP – Viet Nam shipped 3.86 million of aquactic products in the first half of 2020 for US$ 3.56 billion, equivalent to 91.4% of the previous year, but accounting for 35.6% of this year's preset goal.

July 15, 2020 4:59 PM GMT+7

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The figure was released at the General Department of Fisheries' meeting Wednesday to review the sector's performance in the first six months.

The aquaculture sector expanded 2.79% in the reviewed period, lower than the preset goal of 5.4% due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the General Department of Fisheries targeted to fulfill the preset goals of over 8.56 million tons of aquatic output (including 3.9 million tons of exploitation and 4.66 million tons of farming) and US$ 10 billion of export revenue.

Director of the General Department Tran Dinh Luan attributed bad weather conditions and the Covid-19 outbreak to lower output of brackish water prawn farming (down 50%) and export shrinkages.

The fishery sector timely adjusted aquaculture season and ensured disease prevention measures in order to mitigate the Covid-19 outbreak consequences.

However, a labor shortage in fish farming and exploitation in both number and quality has affected aquaculture activities./.

By Kim Loan