Despite facing shrinking global markets, agro-forestry and fishery exports rose 12.4 percent in the past seven months to reach US$15.9 billion, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Most key farm products benefitted from steady growth in exports, except for rice and rubber.
Coffee exports hit 1.2 million tonnes and generated US$2.5 billion, up 31.6 percent in volume and 25.4 percent in value.
Germany and the US remain Vietnam’s biggest coffee consumers, making up 12.9 and 12.4 percent of the total, respectively.
Cashewnut and pepper producers saw the highest growth in exports over the period.
Vietnam shipped 120,000 tonnes of cashewnuts abroad, earning US$828 million, up 36.5 percent in volume and 19.2 percent in value from a year ago. The country maintained its position as the world’s largest cashew producer.
Pepper and tea exports also rose more than 20 percent and 4.2 percent in value to fetch US$546 million and US$108 million respectively.
However, rice exports fell considerably, generating US$2.1 billion from 4.6 million tonnes delivered. The average export price tumbled 6.6 percent to US$458 per tonne.
Seafood exports increased 6.5 percent to gross US$3.4 billion in the year to July. The US is Vietnam’s leading seafood importer, consuming 19.5 percent of the total. It was followed by Japan at 17.6 percent and the Republic of Korea at 8.3 percent.
The MARD is helping businesses and farmers expand outlets for several farm products in difficulty such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and coconuts.
MARD experts say exports of farm product are likely to increase in the remainder of the year as the global economy is expected to ride out the recession period, driving up consumer demand.
Vietnam aims to earn US$26.5 percent from agro-forestry and fishery exports in 2012.
(VOV)
