Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam achieved cassava export growthin both volume and value in the first quarter of this year despite experiencingdifficulties, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(MARD).

Cassava exports in the first quarter rose by 14 percent involume to 772,000 tonnes and 0.4 percent in value to 257 million USD year-on-year,the MARD’s Department of Agro-product Processing and Market Development said.Of which, exports reached 335,000 tonnes in March, earning 113 million USD.

However, the average export price of cassava in the quarterfell by 12 percent to 332.5 USD per tonne.

In terms of product structure during the first three months,cassava chip exports were estimated at 263,000 tonnes, earning 57 million USD,up 70 percent in volume and 96 percent in value over the same period last year.

Cassava starch exports reached 509,000 tonnes, earning 200million USD, down 2 percent in volume and 12 percent in value.

During the quarter, lower supply of cassava chips due toprolonged hot weather and the pandemic pushed up export prices by 16 percentto 217 USD per tonne compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, theaverage export price of cassava starch fell by 10 percent to 393 USD pertonne.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Import and ExportDepartment said the cassava export growth in the first quarter was mainly dueto growth to mainland China. Besides that, businesses also promoted exports toMalaysia, Taiwan and Japan.

According to the General Department of Customs, in the firsttwo months this year, China was the largest export market of Vietnam's cassavaand cassava products, reaching 402,480 tonnes worth about 130.9 million USD.These exports had an increase of 10.6 percent in volume but a plunge of 2.8 percentin value over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the nation saw strong growth in both volume andvalue of cassava exports to Malaysia in the first quarter. Exports were up by48.5 percent in volume to 7,400 tonnes and by 49.4 percent in value to 3.2million USD.

Vietnam’s cassava export price is expected to increase dueto lower supply on the domestic market as hot weather, disease andthe pandemic take hold. Meanwhile, output of this product in Thailand,which is the largest exporter of cassava to China so far this year, isexpected to decrease by 20 percent compared to 2019.

On the other hand, according to MARD, China would haveincreased demand for cassava to promote ethanol production after thepandemic and animal feed for pigs. China has faced a shortage of pork due toAfrican swine fever.

However, the export of cassava starch via the border gates islikely to slow because China is prioritising importsof fruit and other essential foods.

In 2019, Vietnam's cassava exports reached 2.46 milliontonnes, earning 948 million USD. Exports surged by 2.9 percent in volume butfell by 0.2 percent in value compared to 2018./.