The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Province of Ben Tre has set a goal of earning US$190 million from exports in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade.

 

The figure would lift the locality’s export turnover in the whole year to an estimated $725 million, surging 11 per cent from the previous year and fulfilling 92 per cent of the target set for the year.

 

Over past nine months, the province’s export recorded stable growth, achieving about $535 million, a year-on-year increase of 13 per cent, the department noted.

 

However, the locality witnessed drops in export volume and prices of several key exports such as rice, coconut fiber, and aquatic products due to a shortage of materials for processing and strict import requirements in food safety. That would make it difficult for the province to hit its export turnover target.

 

Ben Tre ships products to 115 countries and territories worldwide, with the Asian market accounting for the largest proportion of its total export turnover at 68 per cent. American and European markets make up 16 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.