Vietnam ranks second globally for cassava exports

Vietnam is currently the second largest cassava exporter in the world after Thailand, with more than 120 industrial-scale cassava factories capable of processing 11.3 million tons of fresh tubers per year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Statistics from Vietnam Customs showed that in August, the country exported 221,270 tons of cassava and cassava products worth $103.26 million, an increase of 52.4% in volume and 43.7% in value compared to July. These figures rose 7% and 6.6% year-on-year, respectively.

The average export price of cassava and cassava products was $466.7 per ton, down 5.7% from July and 0.4% from August 2022.

In the first eight months of 2023, Vietnam’s cassava exports hit 1.86 million tons, worth $768.76 million, down 12.4% in volume and 18% in value over the same period last year.

In the eight-month period, the country recorded the strongest growth in cassava exports to Japan, shipping 2,407 tons for $1.24 million, soaring 333.7% in volume and 269.1% in value year-on-year. The average export price to this market reached $515.3 per ton, down 14.9% over the same period last year ($605.5 per ton).

Last month, China remained Vietnam's largest export market for cassava and cassava products, accounting for 95.91% of the country's total figure, with 212,230 tons worth $98.04 million, up 56.1% in volume and 47.2% in value compared to July.

Compared to August 2022, Vietnam’s cassava exports to China increased by 9.6% in volume and 7.9% in value. The eight-month respective figures were 1.69 million tons and $687.24 million, down 13.4% and 19.9%.

The General Statistics Office said Vietnam boasts an annual cassava area of about 530,000 hectares. In the coming time, it is forecast that importers will still have high demand for cassava and cassava starch as countries increase food and grain reserves for consumption and animal feed production.

However, supply is decreasing in the context that some cassava growing areas are infected with mosaic disease, affecting productivity in the new crop, so Vietnam's exports of cassava and cassava products is unlikely to increase strongly, it said.