Local producers have recorded strong gains in markets such as the European Union, the US, Asean states and in the Ukraine, in spite of their strict requirements on food safety and hygiene, said Nguyen Huu Dung, Vasep vice President. The Mekong Delta province of An Giang alone has so far this year registered year-on-year increases of 62% and 60% in the value and volume of exports, respectively.
The province expects to ship 120,000 tonnes of tra and basa catfish, worth US$320 million, 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 brand names for the product.