Tra fish exports are likely to enjoy good growth in the remaining months of 2023 thanks to increasing demand from China and the US -Vietnam’s two largest markets. (Photo: nongnghiep.vn) 

Hanoi (VNA) – Despite experiencing a sharp decline in the last quarter of2022 and the first month of 2023, tra fish (pangasius) exports still see bright outlook this year, according to insiders.

Le Hang,director for communications at the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters andProducers (VASEP), said from October to December last year, tra export valuedecreased 12% from a year earlier to 457 million USD.  The declinecontinued to linger until the beginning of this year, with 50% in January.

However, shesaid tra fish exports are likely to enjoy good growth in the remaining monthsof the year thanks to increasing demand from Vietnam’s two largest markets, namely Chinaand the US.

China's lifting ofthe Zero-COVID policy is facilitating the export of Vietnameseagricultural products, including tra fish, to this market, Hang was quoted byNong Nghiep Viet Nam (Vietnam Agriculture) newspaper as saying.

The fact thatChinese consumers tend to prefer tra fish to tilapia, a key aquatic speciesraised in their country, is also a good opportunity for Vietnamese businessesto boost exports to the neighbouring country, she noted.

Sam Galletti,president of Southwind Food - a US seafood importer, predicted thatconsumption of pangasius and tilapia in the US market will rise this yearthanks to stable supplies and affordable prices.

The lack of cod supply due to the sanctions against Russia and the reduction incatches will also pave the way for the export of other types of white fish tothe US market. In addition, the US tends to import more tra fish fillets than tilapia fillets.

The exports of tra fish to other markets besides China and the US arꦇealso expected to rise.

Luu Van Khang,Commercial Counselor of Vietnam’s Trade Office in Mexico, said the shipment ofVietnamese tra and basa fish to the North American country enjoyed zero tariffsunder the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership, describing it an opportunity for Vietnam to continue promoting tra fishexports to this market.

Last year, Mexico is the third largest market of Vietnames⛎e tra fish wit🐓h anexport value of 105.1 million USD./.