AGRO-FORESTRY-FISHERY EXPORTS NEAR US$16 BILLION IN Q1

Workers process tra fish for export at a facility - PHOTO: ARCHIVES

HCMC – Vietnam’s exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products totaled US$15.72 billion in the first quarter of this year, up by 13.1% against the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Of the total, agricultural exports reached US$8.53 billion, up by 12.2% year-on-year, while livestock products brought in US$131.3 million, an increase of 18.5%.

Seafood exports rose by 18.1% to US$2.29 billion; and forestry products accounted for US$4.21 billion.

Notably, the agro-forestry-fishery sector posted an estimated trade surplus of US$4.4 billion in the first quarter, up by 13.1% versus the year-ago period. Forestry products, seafood and agricultural goods all recorded trade surpluses during the period.

The forestry sector recorded a trade surplus of US$3.54 billion, while seafood posted a US$1.51 billion surplus. Agricultural products registered a US$1.48 billion surplus.

The country recorded five export items with export value topping US$1 billion during the three-month period, including wood and wooden products, seafood, rice, fruits and vegetables, and coffee.

Around 2.2 million tons of Vietnamese rice were exported in the first quarter, earning US$1.14 billion, up by 0.6% in volume but down by 19.7% in value compared to the same period last year.

Coffee exports reached 509,500 tons and brought in US$2.88 billion, while fruit and vegetable exports were valued at US$1.14 billion, down by 11.3% year-on-year.

Asia remained Vietnam’s largest buyer, making up 42% of total agro-forestry-fishery exports. The Americas and Europe followed, accounting for 22.5% and 16.6%, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, export revenue rose by 2% to Asia, 15.7% to the Americas, and 37.8% to Europe.

Source: The Saigon Times