In December, Vietnam’s total export turnover of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture reached an estimated USD 2.2 billion, raising the figure for the whole year to USD 25 billion, a 27.9 percent increase from last year, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The impressive figure surpassed the set target of USD 23 billion for 2011.

 

Agricultural products had the rapidest growth rate with an estimated USD 13.7 billion, a 33.2 percent increase from last year. Major export commodities such as rice, coffee, rubber and pepper contributed most to agricultural export turnover. Of this, volume of exported rice for the whole year posted 7.2 million tonnes, worth USD 3.7 billion, bringing a 4.4 percent increase in volume and a 14 percent increase in value.

Together with agricultural products, forestry and wooden products saw positive growth. Total export value for 2011 reached USD 3.9 billion, a 13.4 percent increase from last year. The three largest import markets for Vietnam’s forestry and wooden products were the US, Japan and China.

Aquatic products contributed to the common success of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture exports. In December, export turnover of aquatic products reached approximately USD 500 million, raising the figure for the whole year to USD 6.1 billion, a 21.1 percent increase from last year. The major consumption markets were the US and Japan, making up one third of the country’s aquatic product export value.

(CPV)