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Catfish exports to earn 1.2 billion USD
Vietnam ’s catfish exports are expected to earn 1.2 billion USD in 2008, accounting for 29 percent of the country’s total seafood export value, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
However, the catfish farmers in the Mekong Delta have been badly affected by their own unplanned development. For instance, earlier this years, they suffered from an excess of supplies, and a few months later exporters hesitated to sign new export contracts for concerns of supply inadequacy.
VASEP says the current scarcity is not too serious, because producers have been forewarned, and farmers begin to benefit from higher prices and resume their investment in production.
Local catfish producers are encouraged to ensure their materials by self-supplying or signing contracts with farmers. However, the existing shortage of material catfish is expected to last until next year’s first quarter.
The association says it will annually make public the demand for catfish exports, from which the local agencies and producers can develop their own production plans. Market analysis and forecast will also be improved to protect businesses and farmers from dumping.
To ensure the industry’s goal of 1.5 billion USD in export value of this commodity in 2009, as much as 1.2 million tonnes of catfish are in need to produce 600.000 tonnes of fillet.
VNA
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