In the picture of Vietnam’s seafood exports in the first 5 months of 2023, dried fish and canned fish recorded a higher export turnover compared to the same period in 2022.

According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam’s seafood exports in May 2023 reached $800 million, down 23.9% compared to May 2022. Generally, in the first 5 months of 2023, Vietnam’s seafood export is estimated at 3.37 billion USD, down 28.1% over the same period in 2022.

According to calculations from statistics of the General Department of Customs, in April 2023, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached 169.5 thousand tons, worth 743.06 million USD, down 25.6% in volume and down. 33.7% in value compared to April 2022. In the first 4 months of 2023, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached 613.018 thousand tons, worth 2.57 billion USD, down 19.1% in volume and 29.3% in value over the same period in 2022.

In April and the first 4 months of 2023, the export of all seafood products decreased compared to the same period in 2022. Shrimp of all kinds was still the seafood export product with the highest turnover in April 2023, reaching 31 thousand tons, worth $284.1 million, down 28% in volume and 34.9% in value over the same period in 2022. Generally, in the first 4 months of 2023, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached 98.5 thousand tons, worth USD 876.2 million, down 28.8% in volume and 36.6% in value over the same period in 2022.

Shrimp exports to most major markets decreased compared to the same period in 2022, except for exports to Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Qatar which increased. In which, Japan is Vietnam’s largest shrimp export market, accounting for 15.8% of the country’s total shrimp exports; The US is the second largest market with the proportion of 15%; EU accounts for 14.27% and China accounts for 15.12%…

In April 2023, Vietnam’s pangasius exports dropped sharply compared to the same period in 2022, reaching 60.9 thousand tons, worth $148.72 million, down 41.9% in volume and 52% in value compared to the same period in 2022. with April 2022. Vietnam’s pangasius exports to most markets decreased, except for exports to Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Egypt which increased. In the first 4 months of 2023, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached 237.5 thousand tons, worth 570.1 million USD, down 29.5% in volume and 40.8% in value over the same period last year 2022.

While exports of most aquatic products decreased, Vietnam’s exports of dried and canned fish in April and the first four months of 2023 grew positively.

According to information from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), many seafood enterprises have reported a decline in business results and profits since the beginning of the year, but there are still good growth products such as: dried fish, canned fish.

Data from VASEP shows that, in April 2023, the export turnover of dried sea fish of all kinds reached nearly $26 million, up 65% over the same period in 2022. Accumulated in the first 4 months of this year, this product helps Vietnam Nam earned nearly $78 million, up 33% over the same period last year. The two most popular types of dried fish in Vietnam are anchovies and yellow snapper, accounting for 66% and 14% of total export turnover, respectively.

China is the largest market for Vietnamese dried fish in recent years, accounting for 56% of export turnover, followed by Russia with 17%, Malaysia with 8%, Hong Kong with 4% and South Korea with 3%. Except for the Malaysian market, where the growth rate decreased, the remaining 4 markets recorded a high growth rate of Vietnamese dried fish consumption. In which, growth in the Chinese market was up to 72% and Hong Kong reached 59%.

In addition, many other markets also increased imports of Vietnamese dried fish in the first four months of this year, such as: Taiwan by 45%, Romania by 90%, Australia by 10%, Lithuania by 61%.

Consumption trends change

The evolution of Vietnam’s dried fish exports has shown that, in an inflationary environment, when prices dominate buying and selling behavior, consumers have changed their habits. Fresh/raw products are gradually being replaced by dry and canned goods.

Explaining why dried fish and canned fish “won the throne”, Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of VASEP said that consumption trends have changed due to inflation, leading to consumers changing habits and spending prices. distribution of measures of consumption.

“I take fish as an example, consumers in markets rarely choose fresh fish because of the high selling price. They choose to buy fish cut into pieces, pre-marinated with spices, ready-to-eat or pre-packaged with spices and processing instructions… because of the low and reasonable price. That is, the trend of the inflationary economy, fresh and live products are gradually being replaced by dried and canned fish. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses have to adjust their selling prices and add more services to their products to take advantage of this demand opportunity,” Hoe explained.

Accordingly, VASEP has also made a recommendation to Vietnamese seafood exporters that, in addition to the pressure to adjust prices to make it attractive, it is necessary to pay attention to increasing services for products to stimulate demand.

(Source: Hai Dang)