Agro, forestry, seafood exports down   Pineapple processed for export at the Dong Giao Food Stuff Export JSC in Ninh Binh Province. - VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung HA NOI (VNS) - Viet Nam earned an estimated US$1.95 billion from exports of agro-forestry-fishery products in January, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 13.8 per cent, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported. Of this figure, the farming industry's export value reached $859 million, down 11.8 per cent, while exports of seafood saw a decrease of 25.6 per cent to $412 million and forestry product exports generated $520 million, down 8.2 per cent. Nguyen Thai Phuong from the Viet Nam Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)'s information centre said the reduction in the seafood export value in January was normal because importers around the world were quick to promote imports of seafood from Viet Nam at the end of 2014 for the Christmas and New Year festivals, but demand had slowed in early 2015. As usual, seafood exports by Viet Nam would pick up again from May and June, she said. The association expects Viet Nam's total export value to touch $8.5 billion for the whole year, higher than $7.9 billion in 2014. To remain a key seafood export market this year, the fisheries industry would have to restructure its operations and focus on exporting seafood products to other potential markets, such as ASEAN, China, Russia and the Middle East, the association suggested. Export items that have reported an increase include tea, cashew nuts, cassava and cassava products. In January, Viet Nam shipped 9,000 tonnes of tea abroad, earning $17 million and reporting a 1.4 per cent increase in volume and 5.7 per cent in value year-on-year. Meanwhile, cashew nuts earned $29 million from the 18,000 tonnes exported, representing a respective year-on-year growth of 16 per cent and 20 per cent. However, rice exports generated $152 million, showing a year-on-year decrease of 12.7 per cent for a volume of 312,000 tonnes, down 14.5 per cent. Coffee exports were pegged at $202 million, down 23.6 per cent in the reviewed period. - VNS