Outbound sales of tra fish forecast to reach US$1.8 billion

Workers of Godaco Seafood, a major tra fish (pangasius) exporter in the Mekong Delta, process tra fish. Export sales of tra fish (pangasius) are projected to reach a staggering US$1.8 billion in all of 2017 - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

Ho Chi Minh City – Export sales of tra fish (pangasius) are projected to reach a staggering US$1.8 billion in all of 2017, VnEconomy news website reports.

Each kilo of tra fish is priced at as high as VND28,500-28,700. “This is the first time tra fish has seen an increase in price in year-end months. This is the highest level in more than 20 years,” said Ho Kim Thoa, a fish farmer in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap.

Vinh Hoan Corporation is purchasing unprocessed tra fish at a price of VND28,500 a kilo, Cuu Long Company in Dong Thap Province at VND28,600, and Cuu Long Company in An Giang Province at VND28,700.

Unprocessed tra fish are in short supply in the Mekong Delta, said some tra processors, adding they are boosting exports. The price of the fish is forecast to rise further.

Weather conditions have turned unfavorable this year, affecting output of unprocessed tra fish. Seafood processors are facing shortages of tra fish for export processing.

Data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shows the acreage under tra fish farming was more than 5,800 hectares in the Mekong Delta between January and November, a year-on-year rise of 2%.

Statistics of the General Department of Vietnam Customs show outbound sales of tra fish totaled around US$160.2 million last month, and the figure in the year to November had reached US$1.6 billion, up 5.3% over the year-ago period.

China, the United States, and the European Union were Vietnam’s three largest tra fish buyers in the 11-month period, with their respective turnover being around US$373.3 million, US$319.7 million, and US$180.1 million.

Experts forecast outbound sales of tra fish may reach US$1.79-1.8 billion in the entire year.