Agro-forestry-fishery exports hit US$15.6 billion in five months

During the first five months of the year, earnings from farm produce exports were estimated at US$8.25 billion, up 9.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, revenues from shipments of aquatic and forestry products reached US$3.12 billion and US$3.4 billion, respective increases of 9.7% and 8.7%.

Vietnam exported 452,000 tonnes of rice worth US$347 million in May, raising the five-month volume and value to 2.66 million tonnes and US$1.45 billion, up 13.9% and 40%, respectively. China remained the top importer of Vietnam's rice.

Cashew exports were estimated at 139,000 tonnes in May, bringing in US$1.3 billion. Over the first five months, the volume rose 19% and the value was up by nearly 23% compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the country earned US$265 million from selling 135,000 tonnes of coffee in May. The five-month volume and value were 820,000 tonnes and US$1.6 billion, up 16% and down 0.8%, respectively.

The ministry also reported that Vietnam spent US$2.84 billion on importing agroforestry-aquatic products, pushing the five-month figure to US$12.29 billion, up 10.6% year-on-year.