Shrimp exports set for difficult year

Global prices have been decreasing since the second half of last year and are expected to fall further this year as supply rises sharply to six million tons, VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said Friday at a shrimp industry conference.

VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe says shrimp exporters face fierce competition from Ecuador and India this year. Photo by Anh Minh

The U.S. has large shrimp inventories and so is certain to reduce imports in the first half of this year.

When it increases imports in the second half, it is likely to opt for small shrimp from Ecuador because of the abundant supply and geographical proximity.

Vietnamese exports to European markets will be affected by the economic turmoil there.

Le Van Quang, chairman of Minh Phu Seafood Corp., said Vietnamese shrimp costs are too high due to low aquaculture productivity, making it difficult to compete with Ecuador and India.

A shrimp processing company in the southern province of Ca Mau. Photo by An Minh

"Our shrimp farming success rate is less than 40%. It is over 90% in Ecuador and more than 60% in India."

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, the shrimp output this year is likely to be 1.08 million tons, and exports will fetch US$4.3 billion.

But VASEP forecast exports to be worth only $4 billion out of total seafood exports of $10 billion.

Last year shrimp exports had risen by 11% to $4.3 billion.