Processing tra fish for export at a Sao Mai Group factory in the southern province of An Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

HÀ NỘI — Pangasius export turnover recorded growth in the first half of this year.

Citing data from the General Department of Việt Nam Customs, the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that pangasius export turnover reached nearly US$172 million in June, an increase of 20 per cent over the same period last year.

Pangasius export turnover reached $918 million in January-June period, posting 5 per cent year-on-year increase.

In terms of products, frozen pangasius fillets are still the main export. The product's exports reached $739 million by the end of last month, a year-on-year increase of three per cent, accounting for 80 per cent of the total.

Exports of dried pangasius and other frozen products reached $162 million in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent year-on-year, accounting for 18 per cent of the proportion.

Regarding the consumption market, VASEP said that China continued to be the largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius.

Vietnamese pangasius exports to this market reached more than $258 million in the first half of this year, down eight per cent over the same period last year.

The US is the second largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius after China. The export value of Vietnamese pangasius to the US reached $160 million in the reviewed period, up 14 per cent year-on-year.

In addition, Việt Nam's pangasius exports to the CPTPP market also recorded positive growth in the first half of the year with an export value of $128 million, an increase of 11 per cent over the same period last year.

In addition, a number of other markets also recorded positive growth in Việt Nam's pangasius imports in the first six months of the year, including Brazil, Thailand, Colombia and Saudi Arabia.

VASEP said that after a difficult period last year, the whole industry had focused on and took advantage of all export opportunities.

Experts predicted that demand would continue to grow in the second half of this year, as countries began to prepare for festivals and holidays.

Pangasius export prices were also expected to recover with overall pangasius exports expected to reach $1.8 billion this year, up six per cent. — VNS