(CPV) – The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) has forecast that the country’s seafood export turnover in the third quarter of 2012 will likely reach USD1.84 billion, a year-on-year increase of 7 percent, raising the figure for the first nine months this year to USD 4.7 billion.

According to VASEP, a relief package of VND9 trillion approved by the Government for the tra fish sector is expected to contribute to speeding up tra fish material production activities and create conditions for local traders to purchase material.

In the third quarter of 2012, tuna exports are expected to reach nearly USD175 million, cuttlefish and poulp (USD165 million), sea-crab and crustacean (USD35 million) and sea fish of all kinds (USD275 million).

VASEP reported that the largest importing market of Vietnam’s seafood was the US, while other high potential markets included the Republic of Korea, Australia, Mexico, the ASEAN region and China.

In the second quarter of 2012, exports of tuna and cuttlefish had positive growth of 53 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Exports of other kinds of sea fish also saw rapid growth of more than 64 percent./.