According to the estimate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country’s imports of farm, forestry and seafood products reached $ 2.52 billion in May, and $ 11.2 billion in the first five months of this year, up by 23.6 per cent over the same period of 2016. Of the figure, the imports of major farm products reached $ 8.48 billion, up by 32.3 per cent year – on – year.

The imports of wood and furniture hit $ 179 million in May and $ 863 million in the first five months of this year, up by 16.6 per cent over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the imports of seafood reached $ 87 million in May and $ 508 million in the first five months of this year, up by 28 per cent year – on – year.

The imports of fruit and vegetables reached $ 154 million in May and $ 470 million in the first five months, rose sharply by 68.6 per cent over the same months of 2016. Of the figure, the imports of vegetables were estimated at $ 100 million, up by 49 per cent while the imports of fruits reached $ 353 million, up by 75 per cent year –on – year.

The country’s exports of farm, forestry and seafood products were estimated at $ 2.8 billion in May and $ 13.7 billion in the first five months of this year, up by 9.5 per cent over the same period last year.

Of the figure, the exports of major farm products were estimated at $ 7.3 billion, up by 12.6 per cent over the same period of 2016; the exports of seafood were estimated at $ 2.8 billion, up by 10.4 per cent; and the exports of forestry products were estimated at $ 3.1 billion, up by 9.4 per cent.