Shrimp Exports to China Sharply Increase

China has leapt from 8th to 4th position among Vietnam’s largest shrimp importers, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood and Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

 

Vietnam has so far this year exported more than 1,000 tons of shrimp, worth US$12 million to China, up 110 per cent in volume and 90 per cent in terms of value.

 

The VASEP said although Vietnam’s total seafood exports to China have fallen, its shrimp remains a Chinese favorite.

 

Despite this fact, Le Van Quang, vice chairman of VASEP, said in 2009 Vietnam’s shrimp export earnings will drop by 30 per cent from 2008.

 

The Ministry of Industry and Trade advised local companies to change portion of seafood export items to China in line with importers’ demand.

 

The ministry said portion of frozen seafood should be raised from current 22.2 per cent to 30 per cent, portion of fresh seafood should be increased to 23 per cent, dried seafood to 25 per cent while portion of preliminary treated service should be reduced to below 15 per cent.

 

In 2008, China imported US$81,095 million worth of seafood from Vietnam, according to the Vietnam Trade Information Center. (VoV, Countryside Today)