Seafood export is expected to reach 6.5 billion USD this year, a rise of 5 percent from 2012.

The forecast was made by Deputy President of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEF) Nguyen Huu Dung.

Shrimp export is expected to value at 2.2 billion USD, equal to that of last year, while tra fish export is predicted to bring in 1.9 billion USD, up 5.5 percent.

The export of other seafood products is expected to rise by 10 percent to 2.4 billion USD.

Dung said that the export of fish and seafood to major markets is expected to recover in the second quarter of this year after a drop of 8 percent in turnover in the first quarter.

Exports to the European market are expected to total 1.2 billion USD, up 5.3 percent over last year. Meanwhile, exports to the US are estimated to exceed 1.3 billion USD, up 9 percent.

The testing on shrimp for the preservative ethoxyquin before they are imported to Japan is also expected to be removed. Meanwhile, demands for fish and seafood products from China, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN countries are forecast to increase.

The VASEP official said that this year, aquaculture will face a lack of capital, rising input costs and challenges related to technical barriers and food hygiene and safety standards.

“Shrimp production would continue to suffer until the emerging early mortality syndrome ( EMS ) is brought under control,” he said, adding that although seafood output levels are stable, quality has not yet seen much improvement.

The prices of imported raw materials are expected to increase by 20 percent from last year.

Fish and seafood export turnover last year was reported at 6.12 billion USD, only equal to 94.2 percent of the goal and that of 2011.-VNA