Vietnam boosted its pangasius export value in April as demand in several of its major markets surged dramatically.
Vietnam's pangasius exports increased to the United States, China, Brazil, and Thailand, according to an update provided by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The country shipped pangasius products worth more than USD 140 million (EUR 114.5 million) in April, up 25.8 percent year-on-year, VASEP said in its 25 May announcement.
In the first four months of 2021, Vietnam earned USD 489.4 million (EUR 400.1 million) from exports of pangasius, an increase of 8.9 percent year-on-year. Only the export value in February declined during the period.
China (including Hong Kong) became the largest buyer of pangasius from Vietnam, importing USD 117.2 million (EUR 95.8 million) worth of the fish between January and April, up 5.4 percent from a year ago, and accounting for nearly 24 percent of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value. VASEP said exports to China recovered starting late February and early March, following tight inspection on import cargoes in China due to coronavirus concerns.
Vietnam's pangasius exports to the U.S. also increased sharply in April to USD 30.3 million (EUR 24.8 million), up 136 percent year-on-year. The increase helped bring Vietnam's January-April export value for its pangasius sent to the U.S. to USD 102 million (EUR 83.4 million), up 36.7 percent over the same period 2020. VASEP said U.S. demand for frozen pangasius has taken off since the beginning of this year, with its stockpiles reaching a depleted state by the end of 2020.
Vietnam's pangasius exports to Brazil and Thailand in April also surprised many industry experts, as sales to these two markets last year were heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam's pangasius exports to Brazil jumped 687 percent year-on-year in April, and its January-April total was up 38.7 percent year-on-year to USD 22.3 million (EUR 18.2 million). Sales to Thailand rose 47 percent year-on-year in April, lifting sales between January and April to USD 21.2 million (EUR 17.3 million), 8.5 percent higher year-on-year.
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