HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - Despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19pandemic, shrimp exports by Mekong Delta provinces have increased remarkably this yearthanks to efforts made by both authorities and businesses.

Accordingto Ca Mau province’s Department of Industry and Trade, exports in the firstfive months are estimated at more than 423 million USD, a year-on-year increaseof 16 percent.

BacLieu province’s shimp export revenues were up 9 percent to 280 million USD.

NguyenMinh Tuan of Minh Cuong Seafood Import-Export JSC, an old operator in theshrimp industry, said his company’s shrimp exports grew sharply this year, andit was scrupulously implementing COVID-19 prevention measures at its factory.

Manyshrimp farmers in the delta continue to expand production since they earn goodincomes.

PhamVan Quan of My Long Nam commune in Tra Vinh province’s Cau Ngang district,said: "A few months ago, a kilogramme of black tiger shrimp fetched 200,000-220,000VND (8.7-9.6 USD), but now it has decreased to 170,000 VND (7.4 USD), andwhite-leg shrimp is priced at 130,000 - 140,000 VND (5.7-6.1 USD). But farmersstill make a profit."

Accordingto the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), exportswere worth 3.27 billion USD in the first five months, up 14 percentyear-on-year.

Shrimpexports accounted for 1.33 billion USD, an increase of 14 percent.

Theexports went to over 120 markets, with the US, Japan, EU, China, the Republic ofKorea, ASEAN, and Australia being the largest markets, it said.

Demandfor shrimp had increased significantly in many markets, while supply fromIndia, Thailand and some other countries had fallen due to COVID-19, it said.

Takingadvantage of this, Vietnamese companies had accelerated shrimp exports, itadded.

Accordingto seafood businesses, shrimp exports to the US will continue to boom thisyear, and they also expect to increase exports to the EU, mainly white-legshrimps.

Seafoodexports to the Republic of Korea have shown signs of recovery, and so shipmentsto the market would increase, they said, adding that exports to countries suchas Australia, Canada, the UK, and Russia would continue to be good thanks to anincrease in demand and lack of market barriers./.