The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Sóc Trăng saw exports increase by 26 per cent year-on-year in the first half despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. VNA/VNS Photo

MEKONG DELTA — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Sóc Trăng’s exports in the first six months of the year increased by 26 per cent year-on-year to US$470 million.

Seafood accounted for $332 million, a 24.8 per cent increase, and rice for $97 million, 2.2 times higher.

Võ Văn Chiêu, director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said seafood exports had been sustained despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to efforts to control it.

Võ Văn Phục, director of the Việt Nam Clean Fishery JSC, one of the biggest exporters in the province, said shrimp exports would increase by 50 per cent in July from the same period last year thanks to Việt Nam controlling the disease outbreak.

Businesses in Sóc Trăng have methodically invested, branded and built value chains, and so the province's exports increased even when the export markets were plagued by difficulties.

The province has set this year's export target of $900 million, $670 million from seafood.

To meet it, it encourages firms to expand markets, improve design and quality, and diversify products to meet various consumer demands. — VNS