While the export (export) of seafood products decreased significantly in August 2021, the export of bivalve molluscs still increased strongly by 36.2%, reaching over USD 13.2 million.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), with a strong increase in exports in August, accumulated over the first eight months of this year, exports of bivalve molluscs reached USD 86.8 million, an increase of nearly 40 % compared with the same period last year. In which, clams are the main products, accounting for 72% of the value, reaching USD 62.6 million in 8 months, in August alone increased by 75%, reaching USD 11.5 million.

In addition to clams (white clams, brown clams, silk clams), other molluscs in the export structure of the mollusc shell include snails, scallops, oysters, mussels, etc. also increased. Notably, snail exports accounted for 11% with nearly USD 9.5 million in the first eight months, scallops accounted for 8.6% with USD 7.4 million.

Top 10 localities in exporting bivalve molluscs in August 2021 include Thanh Hoa, Ben Tre, Nam Dinh, Binh Thuan, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Quang Ninh, Tien Giang, accounted for 97% of turnover. In which, Thanh Hoa alone accounted for 30%, Ben Tre accounted for 20%, Nam Dinh accounted for 10%.

There are 3 largest enterprises exporting bivalve molluscs (the main product is clams) located in these 3 key provinces, including: Thanh Hoa Fishery Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Ben Tre Seafood Joint Stock Company and Lenger seafood Vietnam Company Limited (Nam Dinh).

According to the analysis of VASEP, many localities with strengths in raw materials and clam processing are not in the areas under social distancing order under Directive 16, therefore they still maintain and boost export sales in August and are expected to accelerate further in the last months of the year.

Kylie Nguyen