Cassava exports recover

In terms of product structure, in the first three months of this year, cassava slice exports were estimated at 263,000 tons, gaining USD57 million, an increase of 70% in volume and 96% in value compared to the same period last year. Export of cassava starch was estimated at 509,000 tons, worth USD200 million, a decrease of 2% in volume and 12% in value compared to the same period last year.

The scarce supply of cassava slices due to prolonged hot weather pushed up the price of Vietnam’s export cassava slices to USD217 per ton, an increase of 16% from the previous year. In addition, Vietnamese cassava slices’ main competitor, Thai ones, could not satisfy the export demand because of bad weather. 

According to the Import and Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the increase in cassava export was mainly brought about by increased export to China, while businesses also increased export to Malaysia, Taiwan (China) and Japan.

Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that in the first 2 months this year, China is the largest export market for Vietnamese cassava and cassava products, with over 402,000 tons, worth more than USD130 million. Malaysia is also importing a large amount of cassava and cassava products, reaching 7,400 tons, equivalent to USD3.2 million.

In 2019, exports of cassava and cassava products reached nearly 2.5 million tons, earning USD948 million./.