Coffee exports set record

The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry (ARDM) has reported that Vietnam since early this year has exported 666,000 tons of coffee, earning 961 million USD, an increase in quantity by 87% and in value by 138% compared to the same period last year. This is a record figure of coffee exports in recent years.

At present, Vietnam’s coffee is exported to many countries in the Americas including Mexico and Ecuador. However, the US and Germany remain major importers of Vietnamese coffee.

According to the Trade Ministry, world coffee prices in May will continue to increase due to the shortage of coffee in the 2007-2008 season. In London, the price of Robusta coffee increased from 1,533 USD/ ton (April 4) to 1,581 USD/ ton (April 19). In Vietnam, coffee prices also increased due to the limited supply and the increasing price in the world.

Rice exports rank second after coffee with the turnover of 443 million USD. The Mekong River Delta alone in April exported 600,000 tons of rice bringing the total rice exported in the month nationwide to 1.4 million tons.

The Trade Ministry predicted that rice prices in the Asian market would remain stable. Domestic prices will stay unchanged thanks to stable supply from the rice granary of the Mekong River Delta.

Export turnovers of key commodities increase

The Trade Ministry reported that in the first 4 months of the year Vietnam earned 316 million USD from exporting rubber products. The rubber material purchasing price increased by VND100.000 per ton. It is predicted that rubber-related products’ export are gaining momentum as the rubber price in the world market is soaring.

Pepper exports have seen a similar picture due to the fluctuation of pepper prices in the world market and due to an imbalance between supply and demand.

Exports of vegetables, fruits and peanuts in the first 4 months this year were optimistic, earning the country 103 million USD, an increase of 130% compared to the same period last year.

Forestry products’ export turnover reached 858.5 million USD, a 22% increase compared to this time in 2006. The US, EU, Japan and Korea remain major importers of Vietnam’s agro-forestry products.