"Tra" and "basa" exports likely to reach 1 billion USD

“Tra” and “basa” catfish exports are likely to bring in 1 billion USD this year, according to an official from the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

Local producers have recorded strong gains in markets such as the EU, the US , ASEAN and Ukraine in spite of their strict requirements on food safety and hygiene, according to VASEP Vice President Nguyen Huu Dung.

The Mekong Delta province of An Giang alone has so far this year registered year-on-year increases of 62 percent and 60 percent in the value and volume of exports, respectively.

The province expects to ship 120,000 tonnes of tra and basa catfish, worth 320 million USD, in 2007.

To date, local seafood producers have earned a foothold in 75 countries and territories around the world.

In order to raise “tra” and “basa” catfish export turnover, the fisheries sector has urged local authorities to beef up supervision over the misuse of chemicals in catfish farming and build trademarks for the product.

source: http://www.vnagency.com.vn/Home/EN/tabid/119/itemid/218786/Default.aspx