Agriculture, forestry and aquatic exports in the first six months of this year totaled $7.6 billion, a decrease of 2.4 percent compared to the same period last year, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on June 26.

Agro product exports reached $7.6 billion in the first six months of this year

Major agricultural produce, such as coffee, tea, cashew nuts and pepper, saw export turnover of $4.3 billion, equal to the same period last year.

Aquatic produce export turnover totaled $1.7 billion, down 11.2 percent, and forestry products achieved $1.2 billion, down 18.8 percent.

According to Duong Long Tri, deputy director of the ministry's Information Center, during the first six months of this year, agricultural, forestry and aquatic exports faced many difficulties, among them price was the principle cause of export turnover decline.

Although some exports produce, such as coffee, rubber and tea, increased compared to the same period last year, total export turnover still decreased.

Rice remains a constant export for the country, with a turnover of 3.8 million tons, equivalent to $1.8 billion.

The current rice export market has changed little, the Philippines is still the largest importer of Vietnamese rice, taking 51 percent of the country’s total exports.

The ministry has set the target of $12.5 billion for agro-forestry and seafood exports for the whole year, a decrease of $3.7 billion compared to the previous year’s figure.