Vietnam leads in shrimp exports to Japan

24/06/2014 12:00 - 515 Views

Vietnam maintained its position as the No1 supplier of shrimp to Japan in the first four months of this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ( VASEP ).

After Japan decided to examine all shrimp batches imported from Vietnam for Oxytetracycline (OTC) residue, experts forecast India and Indonesia would replace Vietnam to become major suppliers of this product in this lucrative market.

However, VASEP statistics show in the first four months of the year Vietnam sustained its leading position in Japan, while India and Indonesia saw sharp declines in both value and output.

Four-month Vietnamese shrimp exports to Japan were up 31.9% in value but down 40.2% in volume compared to the same period in 2013 due to the OTC examination decision.

Vietnam is now the largest producer of prawn in the world with a stable output.

VASEP forecasts that Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan will surpass the annual US$700 million mark this year if the OTC issue is controlled.

Source: VOV