Tra fish exports hit US$1.66 billion

Vietnamese tra fish products have been exported to 137 markets in the world. They occupied the largest market shares in the US (23%), then China (17%) and the EU (16%).

Exports to the US reached US$354.2 million in the first 11 months of 2016, up 22.2% against the same period of 2015. In 2016, anti-dumping duties and the catfish inspection programme are the two biggest barriers for Vietnam products to the demanding market. Currently, only 2 to 3 Vietnamese businesses are able to ship products to the US.

Tra fish exports to the EU dipped 9.9% to US$238.8 million in the period, a decline for three consecutive years.

By the end of November last year, exports to China- Hong Kong had skyrocketed by 84.4% to US$270.6 million. China-Hong Kong might be the biggest importer of Vietnam tra fish this year if the US imposes stricter barriers and export to China-Hong Kong maintains its growth.

The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development forecast tra fish exports to major markets like the US, China and ASEAN will continue to grow in the first half of this year while exports to the EU will drop around 3-5%.

Vietnam is expected to earn around US$1.7 billion from tra fish exports in 2017, up around 4%.