Decreasing demand and a lack of raw material account for the negative trend, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Vietnamese shrimp producers are having trouble obtaining the raw shrimp they need because of disease-stricken crops and Japans ethoxyquin testing.
Shrimp exports are estimated to have fallen by 10% to $160 million in March and by 7.9-8% to $400 million in the first three months of 2013. Pangasius exports had a year-on-year decrease of 13% to $140 million in March, pulling down total tra export earnings in Q1 to $393 million, a slide of 7.6%. Pangasius exporters are currently facing difficulties both regarding capital and with importing markets. As well, there are low average fish prices and technical barriers to deal with which are imposed by the main importing markets.
Tuna exports jumped 12% to $145 million in the first three months of 2013, but took a 16% dive in March. It seems that even though tuna catches were good in the first months of the year, processors still lack tuna that is of quality high enough to export, partly because many fishers are opting to catch tuna by pole and line to cut down costs and boost productivity, and this method dents the fishs quality.It is expected that the trend may continue further into the year, resulting in decline in tuna production for export.
Marine finfish sales saw a 28% drop to over $60 million in March, leading to a nine per cent drop in the January-March period.Cephalopod exports took a drastic slump of 34% in March and 22% in the first quarter. Crabs and other crustaceans saw exports of $4.9 million in March, down 34.5%, and were off 16% for the quarter.
