Seafood exports increase by 26% in May

Seafood exports of Vietnam increased sharply over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Workers process octopuses for export at a factory in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)
Workers process octopuses for export at a factory in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)

Among seafood exports, molluscs increased the most. Specifically, the export value of squid and octopus products reached US$216 million, up 13%; while bivalve molluscs reached US$48 million, up 44%. Of the total seafood export value in the first five months of 2021, marine fish products account for 75%, tuna increased by 22%, and other fish increased 53%.

In the CPTPP market, Japan is the largest import market and also the largest single seafood importer of Vietnam, accounting for 20% of the total value of other seafood exports of Vietnam, reaching US$298 million. During the period, the export value to this market increased slightly at 1%.

According to VASEP, seafood exports from Vietnam to the US reached more than US$113 million. In the past three months, the expanded vaccination against COVID-19 and the economic stimulus package of the US Government have been the driving force for the recovery of seafood consumption demand, not only in the food service and restaurants and hotels, but also in the retail segment.

These factors are considered favourable conditions for Vietnamese seafood businesses to boost exports to this market. Exports of squid and octopus to the US is growing at a high rate. In May specifically, Vietnam’s octopus exports to the US rose at a "galloping" rate of 538% over the same period last year.