Crab prices were steady in the first five months of this year but have been falling since June. (Photo: tienphong) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Vietnam’s crab exports were worth 44.5 million USD in thefirst four months of this year, a 40 percent year-on-year increase, accordingto the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Themain markets were China, the US, Japan, and the EU.
China,which was only the fourth largest buyer in the same period last year, boughtmore than 13 million USD worth of the crustacean, up nearly 394 percent.
Exportsto Japan grew by 37.4 percent to 10.3 million USD.
Butshipments to the US and EU decreased by 18.3 percent and 17 percent,respectively.
Chinaalso increased import of Vietnamese fish cakes and surimi by 37 percent to 14.8million USD. It was the only major market to increase the import of fish cakesand surimi from Vietnam.
VASEPsaid Chinese demand for seafood has recovered since March. Vietnam’s exports tothe country increased by 35 percent in April and 20 percent in May.
Japanesedemand for Vietnamese seafood has also been robust. In May, exports were up 9percent after increasing by 16 percent in April.
VASEPsaid that with this rate of growth, Japan would continue to be one of thelargest markets for Vietnam this year and help offset much of the decline inexports to the US and the EU./.
VNA
