Sea cucumber exports skyrocket on global market demand
VOV.VN - While key seafood export items including shrimp and pangasius have endured a significant decline, several other products such as oysters and sea cucumbers have enjoyed a sharp rise in export volume and value, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Specifically, sea cucumber exports throughout the reviewed period reached 73 tonnes worth US$1.7 million, up 160% in volume and 40% in value against the same period from last year.
On average, a kilo of sea cucumbers for export was traded at about US$23.3 per kilo, equivalent to VND555,000 per kilo.
In particular, sea cucumber exports in May alone witnessed a nine-fold rise in volume and 20-fold increase in value year on year.
Sea cucumbers are likened to "sea ginseng" due to their high nutritional value for human health.
The product is sold at expensive prices, ranging between VND500,000 and VND1,700,000 per kilo, depending on the type.
Meanwhile, oyster exports during the first half of this year reached more than 2,700 tonnes valued at more than US$5 million, up 100% in volume and 81% in value year on year.
