Hanoi (VNA) — Shipments of Tra fish from the Mekong Delta to the US and China, two of the biggest buyers of the products, have dropped compared to the figure last year.

According to seafood exporters in the Mekong Delta, Tra fish exports have been erratic, and the demand in big markets such as Chinaand the US has fallen.

Exports to mainland China and Hong Kong in March were worth39.5 million USD, 12.9 percent lower than last year, while exports to the USsaw a 44 percent drop.

Doan Toi, general director of the Nam Viet Corporation(which specialises in exporting seafood), told the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper that Tra fish exports were worth around 1 billion USD toChina and the US last year.

Despite the high figure, both markets can be volatile due tochanging policies and tariffs, so more export destinations are preferable toonly one or two markets, he said.

Toi said that exporters should focus on the EU as the numberof shark catfish exports has risen after a period of low exports.

Around 72 million USD worth of fish were exported in Februaryand March, 42 percent higher than last year.

Exports to ASEAN in the first quarter of the year alsoincreased by 18 percent, while Japan’s imports of the product were alsorising, making the country among the top 10 importers this year.

Foreign markets are demanding tougher technicalspecifications to ensure food safety and quality, such as China restrictingcross-border imports of agricultural products and seafood, according to theAgriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Product Quality Management Department.

In addition, the EU restricts imports from Vietnam ifbanned substances are detected in Vietnamese shipments.

Quality standards, improved linkages between farmers andbusinesses, use of materials for other processed products, and more promotionsare all needed, according to experts.

An Giang and Dong Thap provinces are two of the MekongDelta’s leaders in Tra fish farming, processing and exporting.

According to An Giang People’s Committee, its farming areasfor the fish amount to 1,300-1,400 hectares, with output of 380,000-400,000 tonnes.

The industry targets exports of around 2.4 billion USD thisyear.-VNA