Tag: asia
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Verizon’s all-digital Visible unit has a deal on the Pixel Fold that starts on July 18th
July is almost here already which means that from now through next Wednesday, July 5th, Verizon’s all-digital wireless unit Visible is still offering $5 a month off of its Visible plan for new subscribers. For $25 per month per line (taxes and fees included), you get unlimited talk, text, and data. This plan does support 5G and LTE connectivity, but keep in mind that the 5G service for this plan is limited to Verizon’s slower low-band 5G.The Visible plan includes unlimited calls and texts from the U.S. to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Saipan. In times of heavy traffic for the Nationwide 5G and LTE networks, your data speed may get throttled. This plan also offers unlimited mobile hotspot capabilities for one device at speeds up to 5Mbps. During times of heavy traffic, your hotspot speed might get throttled. When you’re in the States, you can make unlimited calls and send unlimited messages to Canada and Mexico. And spam is blocked before it even gets to your phone. Again, this plan is $25 per month unless you wait until July 6th or later to subscribe when the price reverts back to $30 per month.If you want faster 5G data speeds, the Visible+ plan is $45 per month (fees and taxes included) and it uses both Verizon’s Nationwide 5G and its C-band Ultra Wideband signals. The latter delivers a download data speed up to 10 times faster (from personal experience) than Nationwide 5G. And yes, Visible+ has 4G LTE connectivity. With this plan, you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot with unlimited data speed of up to 5Mbps.Starting on July 18th, Visible will offer the Pixel Fold with a deal that offers buyers a $200 gift card if certain conditions are metThis plan also offers $10 off on Verizon home internet, spam protection, and unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico when you’re in the States. It also provides talk, text, and unlimited data when traveling in Mexico and Canada, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. International calling is included from the U.S. to 30+ countries. You can call up to 500 minutes per month at no additional cost. With the Visible+ plan, you also can partake in unlimited texting internationally from the U.S. to over 200 countries & territories worldwide.Now here’s the big news. Starting on July 18th you can buy the Pixel Fold from Visible and receive a $200 gift card back. Here’s how it works. Join Visible and sign up for the Visible+ plan and create your account. Within 30 days of purchasing the Pixel Fold from Visible, transfer your number from an eligible carrier. Set up your SIM and activate the phone. After completing 3 full months of service payments on the Visible+ plan, you will receive an email with a code to redeem your virtual gift card.The Pixel Fold will be available in Obsidian with 256GB of storage and will be priced at $1,799; it can be financed through Affirm for 36 months ($49.97 per month).You can also test out the Visible network free for 15 days without having to produce a credit card number. You just need to have an unlocked iPhone XS/XR or later. The thing about Visible is that while it doesn’t have any physical retail stores, it does have a chat team that you can get in contact with 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And since Visible uses Verizon’s networks, its signals cover 99% of the U.S. population.Some say that wireless firms like Visible are the wave of the future since subscribers can take care of everything from the comfort of home without having to drive to a crowded store and be forced to deal with company reps. Still, not everyone is tech savvy which means that old-school retail stores are still necessary for now. But if you do know what you’re doing, an all-digital wireless provider might save you some money in the long run. -

Chinese company launches cheapest EV in Vietnam
Chinese manufacturer Wuling has introduced the cheapest electric vehicle models in Vietnam.
The newly-launched mini electric vehicle models were launched Thursday for prices starting at VND239 million ($10,139).
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, which is assembled in Vietnam’s northern province of Hung Yen, is one of the smallest electric vehicles in the country.
The four-seater, designed for urban transportation, can drive for 120-170 kilometers per charge, depending on the battery that users purchase. It takes 6.5-9 hours to fully charge a battery.
The car has a maximum designed speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
The inexpensive vehicle has one seven-inch screen for the driver to monitor the car.
Dealers are set to receive the cars starting this September.
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Taiwanese jeweller Aluxe opens first SEA store, in Singapore
Getting married can be stressful – finding the perfect dress, consolidating the guest list, dealing with fussy relatives…and finding the right jewelry that fits your budget.
On the jewelry front, there’s good news. Thanks to Taiwanese jewelry brand Aluxe’s very first Southeast Asian store in Singapore, couples looking for the ideal bling have more options now.
Aluxe (derived from the phrase “A luxury moment”) is known for its unique jewelry designs and quality engagement and wedding rings. It is a leading wedding ring brand in Taiwan with annual sales of over 30,000 wedding jewelry pieces.
It was founded as an online retailer in 2005, and from its success, opened its first physical store in 2008 in Taiwan. It has since expanded to other locations like Hong Kong, many districts and cities in Taiwan, and now, Singapore.
Three collections take centre stage at the new store in Ion Orchard: Disney, The Moment and acredo collections. Those looking for a magical, fairytale style for their wedding and engagement rings can look at the Disney collection. Rings from this collection will be based on Disney movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Cinderella.
Couples who strive for elegance and timelessness in their wedding bands can check out the Moment Collection, which are all handcrafted in Japan. The new line features blue diamonds which symbolise infinite connection and trust.
Couples who enjoy creating unique, one-of-a-kind designs can consider the acredo Collection, inspired by the expertise of German artisans. They can choose from a range of precious metals and diamonds, and opt to engrave names or even free-hand drawings onto their bands and bring their love story to life. Interested customers can book a one-on-one consultation via the official website.
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Minor International acquires Sizzler brand
Minor International Plc (Mint), an operator in the hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle sector, on Tuesday announced it would acquire a 100% stake in Singco Trading Pte, the intellectual property holder of the restaurant brand Sizzler, except in the US, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.
The acquisition is valued at 546 million baht (S$21 million).
Dillip Rajakarier, group chief executive of Minor, said the strategic move marks a milestone in Minor’s ambitious growth plans worldwide and reinforces its position as an industry frontrunner.
According to Mr Rajakarier, the company expects to close the deal by the third quarter of this year.
With the acquisition planned through MFG International Holding (Singapore) Pte, a subsidiary of Minor, the parent will gain control over Sizzler’s portfolio of franchises, including 64 restaurants in Thailand and another 10 in Japan. After the acquisition, Singco Trading Pte will be a subsidiary of Minor.
“The acquisition comes at an opportune time for Minor as we continue to build on our track record of success and strengthen our position in the global marketplace,” Mr Rajakarier said.
Minor has been operating Sizzler outlets for decades, but the acquisition is part of Mint’s three-year strategy called “Back to Growth”, as the pandemic is over and the company is moving head-on towards continued expansion, said Mr Rajakarier.
“This acquisition sends a clear signal to the global market that Minor Food, like our hotel business Minor Hotels, is back on a trajectory of remarkable growth and we’re constantly seizing opportunities on the international scale through expansion of our own well-recognised brands in various countries either through partnership or acquisition,” he said.
“We have a proven track record of successfully expanding our own brands in various countries, including some of the most difficult countries to dominate like China and Singapore. By gaining the ability to shape Sizzler’s development, we can replicate our proven past achievements and unlock the full potential of the brand.”
With Minor’s deep industry knowledge, operational expertise and international partnership, Mr Rajakarier said the company looks set to introduce Sizzler to new audiences in other fast-growing markets around the world, such as Asean and the Middle East.
He said the acquisition is earnings accretive and is made possible by Minor’s robust financial standing and healthy balance sheet. With Sizzler’s annual royalty income of S$3.5-4 million and full profit contribution without royalty payments from its Thailand operations, the investment offers an attractive double-digit percentage return, demonstrating Minor’s commitment to delivering accretive value to its stakeholders, said Mr Rajakarier.
“We hope to be able to leverage our presence in the regions we have already strongly made a mark in, especially in Southeast Asia, as there has been interest from potential partners and existing franchisees of ours in those countries,” he said.
The firm can now explore new markets to capture new customers in other regions. Apart from owning and operating the restaurants, expansion can also occur through joint ventures or franchising, said Mr Rajakarier.
Following the acquisition, there will not be any drastic changes in operations because Thailand has always led the brand in terms of innovation and marketing, he said. The team in Thailand fully understands Sizzler’s value proposition that has proven it can differentiate the brand from competitors, said Mr Rajakarier.
“We are constantly revitalising our brand to stay most relevant and up to date to promptly respond to market change, and with this comes customisation in each market to meet the needs of different groups of customers,” he said.
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Samsung Electronics to open flagship store in Gangnam to target Gen Z
Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it will open a six-story flagship store in Gangnam, southern Seoul, to offer customers, especially the Gen Z population, more personalized services and experiences.
In a media event, one day prior to the public opening, the tech giant said it expected the Samsung Gangnam store to serve as a “playground” for young users where they can learn and experience the cutting-edge technologies and innovation Samsung has to offer.
“The area near Gangnam Station has always been a place for young people to gather and spend time together,” Jung Ho-jin, vice president of Samsung’s mobile experience division, said when asked why the company chose the area to open its first such store.
The 2,000-square-foot venue, 10 minutes away on foot from its rival Apple’s Gangnam store, felt more like a brand experience center than a retail outlet. Located on Gangnam Boulevard, one of Seoul’s main shopping and business districts, it comes with an after-sales service center, a seminar and lecture space, a small Galaxy museum, a coffee shop and Instagrammable photo zones filled with artworks.
“We would like to see people freely come visit here, even for just a quick bathroom run,” Jung added.
The opening came amid continued headwinds from global economic uncertainties, slow consumer demand and muted brand loyalty for Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones among young people.
A survey released early this year by the Seoul-based Vinu Labs showed Apple’s iPhones are more popular than Samsung’s Galaxy phones among South Koreans in their 20s, who chose “trendy” and “upscale” as the two words that describe Apple’s brand image. The words for Samsung were “friendly” and “practical.”
The opening also took place about a month prior to Samsung’s scheduled first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea, where it is set to unveil its latest foldable phones, watches and other innovative products.
“The store is designed to target not only young customers but also anyone with open and young minds,” Jung said.
“I believe Samsung has its own know-how to deliver unique benefits and color to customers through a variety of products,” Jung said, while avoiding answering directly how the tech giant plans to address lower adoption rates than those of rival Apple among Gen Z.
“At Samsung Gangnam, people can feel Samsung Galaxy products have never stopped evolving,” he said. “We will continue to run our business with such pride in mind going forward.”
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Apple raises iCloud+ prices
Backing up your photos, videos, and important documents to the cloud is super handy. It keeps everything safe, even if your phone gets stolen or breaks. But, of course, this convenience comes at a price.For many Apple product users, iCloud+ is a familiar and widely used cloud storage service. Recently, Apple has raised the prices of its cloud storage in the UK and several other countries. The prices have increased by approximately 25%. iCloud+ offers additional features such as more storage space, a custom email domain, and HomeKit Secure Video, which are not available in the free version.
When you create your Apple ID for the first time, Apple provides you with 5GB of free storage on iCloud. If you require more space, you can upgrade by choosing one of the iCloud+ subscription plans. Until recently, the prices in the UK were £0.79 per month for 50GB, £2.49 per month for 200GB, and £6.99 per month for 2TB.
With the new pricing, these subscription plans have become slightly more expensive, now costing £0.99 per month, £2.99 per month, and £8.99 per month, respectively. The price increase affects not only iCloud+ users in the UK but also those in Poland, Romania, Turkey, Sweden, the Arab Emirates, and other countries. However, for now, the price for the service remains the same in the US.The higher prices without any additional storage upgrades may not be appealing to users, especially considering the availability of alternatives. There are numerous other cloud services to explore, such as Google Drive, which offers 15GB of free storage upon registering a Google account, as well as Dropbox and Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage.You can even make your own iCloud alternative using a network-attached storage (NAS) device – read our guide on how to make your cloud backup service for more details.Apple gave iCloud.com a fresh makeover last year, giving it a more modern and user-friendly look. However, redesigning the website might not be sufficient in a highly competitive market. -

Thaco to sell 10% stake in automobile subsidiary
Truong Hai Group (Thaco Group) is looking for investors to sell a 10% stake in automobile manufacturing and distributing subsidiary Thaco Auto.
Nguyen Hung Minh, vice chairman of Thaco Group, said Wednesday that the sale of 10 percent of shares in Thaco Auto is meant to raise funds for production and business, investment in expanding the retail system and development of new products.
Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation (HSC), Thaco’s financial advisor, is working on this plan.
DMeanwhile, Thaco’s ESOP shares issued in 2018 will be converted to make it a public joint stock company. This company plans to list on the market within the next next years.
According to Nguyen Hung Minh, all production activities of Thaco Auto currently take place at our industrial park in Chu Lai.
Recently a number of domestic and foreign investors have been working with Thaco and HSC on buying the Thaco Auto shares.
Negotiations are still ongoing and no decision has been made, but Minh said Thaco expects to complete the deal this year.
The company, owned by billionaire Tran Ba Duong, is a diversified corporation with interests in automobiles, agriculture, mechanical engineering and supporting industries, construction investment, logistics, trade, and services.
Thaco Auto manufactures, assembles, and distributes KIA, Mazda, Peugeot, and BMW cars and has nearly 400 showrooms across Vietnam.
Mazda cars being manufactured at Thaco Auto’s factory in the Chu Lai Industrial Park, Quang Nam Province. Photo courtesy of Thaco Auto
Thaco Auto has a production complex with seven factories in the Chu Lai Industrial Park (Quang Nam).
This year it targets sales of over 120,000 vehicles, including 96,000 passenger cars, 23,500 trucks and 1,500 buses and minibuses.
It expects consolidated revenues of over VND90 trillion, equivalent to nearly $USD3.8 billion, including VND5.2 billion from services.
In 2022 the company sold 111,440 vehicles to retain the largest market share in the country at 38 percent.
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Agritech firm FoodMap raises $1M
Vietnamese agritech company FoodMap has raised $1 million in a bridge round from foreign investors to expand its presence to new markets.
Founder and CEO Tung Pham said that existing investors including Vulpes Investment Management, Beenext and Wavemaker Partners participated in this round.
A Singapore family office also joined as a new investor.
The Ho Chi Minh City-based company has received a total of $4.5 million in funding since its establishment in 2020.
FoodMap connects farmers and small and medium-size agricultural producers with consumers to provide transparency and traceability of farming products.
The company offers its services via website and smartphone app.
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Thailand expedites durian exports to compete with Vietnam
Thai exporters are halving the time it takes to deliver durian to China, from 8 days to four days, in order to better compete with Vietnam over the pungent fruit.
Thailand shipped 477,700 tons of fresh durian to China in the first five months, valued at a record high of $1.75 billion and the highest in 30 years, according to official data.
This is because the country has been utilizing a new railway connecting it with Laos and China which help reduce transportation time.
TerapongTechasathian, Assistant Chief Operation Officer at Pan-Asia Silk Road Ltd, which operates the railway, said that in April the company set the record by transporting 25 containers of durians from Thailand to China in one day.
The train arrived at the destination in 4.5 days, quicker than the original estimate of six days, he added.
In March, Thailand raised its durian export quality to retain Chinese customers.
CEO of Vietnam’s fruit exporters Vina T&T, Nguyen Dinh Tung, said that Thailand is making moves to consolidate its durian market share in China amid rising competition from Vietnam.
Vietnamese fresh durian exports to China in the first five months surged 18 times to $477 million. China accounted for 95% of all durian exports from Vietnam.
Vietnamese durian can be harvested all year round, which is an advantage compared to Thai durian, Tung said. But Thailand has more advantage in shipment time, he added.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said that Vietnam’s border with China means it is easier to export to there by road.
Exporting by train from Thailand to China is fast but costly, he added.
Vietnamese exporters need to be prepared to compete with rising competition not only from Thailand but also Malaysia and the Philippines for the Chinese market, with demand forecast to reach 2 million tons a year in the future, Nguyen said.
Increasing exports quality, building brands and investing in technology to enhance preservation are key tasks, he added.
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Google Wallet is adding QR code card payments for phones without NFC
Google Wallet is adding support for QR code payments, making it easier for users to pay for goods and services at locations and with devices that do not support NFC. With QR code payments, users can simply scan a code displayed by the merchant with their phone’s camera, and the payment will be processed automatically.
This capability was announced by Google today via a blog post specifically targeting the Google for Brazil conference taking place in said country. Expanding digital payments in the country was referenced as one of the initiatives currently in the works.As such, Brazilians who use Google Wallet will be the first that will get to experience this new way of making payments. QR codes are pretty universal and as long as the device has a camera, it will be able to use them with their digital wallet.The QR code payment feature is being launched in Brazil first because a significant portion of smartphones in the country do not have NFC, the technology used in contactless payment methods. This means that many Brazilians have been unable to use Google Wallet’s digital payments feature.This addition will make Google Wallet more accessible as well as bring the safety and ease of digital payments to more people. QR code payments are a secure and convenient way to pay for goods and services, and their worldwide popularity makes them the perfect workaround for those that lack the necessary hardware to use NFC.
Google Wallet is expected to launch the QR code payment feature in Brazil in the coming months and will, of course, be available to all Android devices with a camera. Hopefully, if this experiment works out well in Brazil, this could open up the possibility for this payment method to become available elsewhere in the world via Google Wallet. -

WhatsApp tests Material Design tweaks on Android to make it look more like its iOS app
WhatsApp has been hard at work lately adding features and applying design tweaks in order to set itself apart from competing products and become more relevant in the U.S. market, where SMS/MMS/RCS and iMessage are king. The latest of these attempts being its apparent attempt to make its iOS and Android apps look more alike than ever.
In the latest update of WhatsApp Beta on Android (v2.23.13.16), as reported by WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp appears to be experimenting with a bottom navigation bar (also called an action bar) in the style of Material Design 3.The navigation bar will replace the current tabbed interface that sits at the top of the chat list. This gives users the option to access Chats, Communities, Status, and Calls from the bottom by cycling through a more clearly labeled navigation system accentuated by its corresponding icons.The bottom navigation bar switches between a dark and white color scheme, depending on your theme choice. This is the same navigation bar that is used on the iOS version of WhatsApp, and it is more in line with Google’s design guidelines for Android apps.The new bottom navigation bar is currently being tested with a limited number of users, but it is expected to be rolled out to everyone eventually. The change is likely to be welcomed by users who prefer a more simplified interface, and it will also make it easier to use WhatsApp with one hand.In addition to the new bottom navigation bar, WhatsApp has also been rolling out Material Design tweaks such as redesigned switches and floating action buttons with rounded menus. It is unclear when these changes will be rolled out to everyone, as they are currently available in beta and to a limited amount of users, but they are all part of WhatsApp’s efforts to improve the app’s user experience.
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Nespresso appoints Stefan Vermeulen as new Oceania MD
Nespresso has announced that Stefan Vermeulen, currently Managing Director for Nespresso New Zealand, will succeed Jean-Marc Dragoli as Managing Director of Nespresso Oceania.
Mr Vermeulen brings a wealth of brand knowledge and local experience, having held leadership roles within Nespresso for more than 12 years, including three leading the team in NZ and four as Head of Nespresso Australia’s Professional business.
Mr Dragoli will now step into the position of Global Head of Nespresso Authorised Brands, based in Switzerland, after four years growing the Oceania business from Australia.
Under Mr Dragoli’s leadership, Nespresso says the market has benefitted from the launch of many new product innovations and services. His prioritisation of local sustainability initiatives has also helped the business deliver on its B Corp commitments and broader purpose of using coffee as a “force for good”.
Mr Vermeulen, too, has driven strong growth for the business in NZ with the successful launch of the Vertuo system to market in 2021, the expansion of Nespresso’s coffee range, and local sustainability initiatives.
Sharing his vision for the business in 2023 and beyond, Mr Vermeulen says: “We truly believe that coffee can be a force for good for people, communities and planet and the more we drive sustainable growth, the more we can have a positive impact as a brand and organisation through the entire value chain.
“For Australians and New Zealanders, coffee plays such an important role in their lives so delivering exceptional coffee experiences based on an obsession for uncompromised in cup quality is paramount.
“Nespresso often leans into and learns from the rich coffee culture and behaviours of this market to drive innovation for the benefit of customers around the world, which we saw with the launch of the Original Line Creatista machine in partnership with Breville.
“There are more exciting innovations to come this year alone, particularly within our Vertuo system, that will reimagine how coffee can be enjoyed at home and in the workplace in the region.
“Sustainability will also remain at the core of our strategy, as we explore new ways to engage more consumers with our recycling program and introduce initiatives that will help us on our journey towards net zero and improve as a B Corp.”
Mr Vermeulen will start his new role from 1 July.
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Pattern Identifies Key Shopping Categories to Watch This Amazon Prime Day
Home & Kitchen, Electronics, Books, Sports and Fitness Predicted to be Popular
Amazon Prime Day, the two-day members-only sales event being held from 11-12 July, is expected to reach new heights in 2023. New research within Pattern’s fifth annual ‘Marketplace Consumer Trends Report – 2023’, shows 43% of Australians now have access to Amazon this year, presenting local brands with significant opportunities for revenue.
“In spite of ongoing cost of living pressures impacting household budgets, it’s not expected that Amazon Prime Day will feel the force of reduced consumer spending. Our research shows 84% of consumers expect to spend more or the same amount shopping on the marketplace, and only 16% of consumers are planning to reduce their spend. This bodes well for local brands participating in Prime Day, as it is expected there will be strong consumer participation and opportunity for sales,” said Merline McGregor, General Manager of Pattern Australia.
To assist local brands in planning their Prime Day activities, the shopping categories Australian consumers indicated they would most likely consider purchasing on Amazon are:
- 58% would consider buying Home & Kitchen products
- 57% would consider buying Electronics & Computer Equipment
- 55% would consider buying Books or eBooks
- 47% would consider buying Sports, Fitness and Outdoor Products
- 44% would consider buying Toys, Kids and Baby Products
- 44% would consider buying Luggage and Travel Gear
- 37% would consider buying Skin Care and Make-up.
“The popularity of these product categories across the Amazon Australia marketplace can (in part) be linked to the fact that there are a large and growing number of sellers within these categories, leading to wider ranges of products for consumers to choose from and competitive pricing,” McGregor explained.
While shoppers participating in Prime Day sales will be eager for bargains, high value goods will also attract interest due to Amazon’s shopper demographic. High income earners are most likely to shop on Amazon compared with any other online marketplace – 36% of Amazon shoppers are high income earners, versus 21% for marketplaces overall.
Australian businesses have significant opportunities for brand exposure and growth through Prime Day, with 30% of consumers stating they are open to buying from new brands on Amazon if they can’t find the brand they are looking for. This also presents a risk for brands not present on Amazon or participating in Prime Day, who may lose customers if they aren’t providing consumers the products they are looking for on the platform, at the right time.
Importantly for brands considering listing on Amazon, consumers are becoming increasingly loyal to shopping on the marketplace, with 91% of shoppers indicating they had purchased multiple times from Amazon over the last 12 months, up from 82% in the previous year. Research also indicates those purchasing at least monthly had doubled in the past twelve months, and Prime deliveries are up 60% over the past year.
“Prime membership is growing strongly in Australia. As Prime members rise, so too will the number of shoppers taking part in Prime Day and businesses looking to sell on the Amazon marketplace. Brands should proactively and strategically prepare for Prime Day by aligning their offerings with key categories for the opportunity to attract the most attention,” concluded McGregor.
Download the full ‘Australian Marketplace Consumer Trends Report – 2023’ report HERE
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Fertilizer exports decrease
Vietnam shipped abroad 692,259 tonnes of fertilizers in the first five months of this year for more than $289 million, down 8.9% in volume and 42.2% in value over the same period in 2022, reported the Vietnam Customs.
In May alone, the export volume reached 154,995 tonnes of all kinds, up 17.5% year on year, with a turnover of $56.9 million, a rise of 17.4% over that of April but a decrease of 35.2% over the same period last year.
The major market of Vietnamese fertilizers in the period under review was Cambodia which made up 33% of the total export volume and value of the product.
It was followed by the Republic of Korea with 47,838 tonnes with a value of US$17.62 million, down 16.9% and 62% year on year. Malaysia came third by buying 44,552 tonnes.
Meanwhile, the export of the products to the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) countries reached 391,107 tonnes, earning $162.64 million, down 16.2% in volume and 42.8% in value. Meanwhile, Vietnam exported 48,442 tonnes of fertilizers worth $16.61 million to CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) member countries, a decrease of 47.9% and 63.5%, respectively.
A downturn of 14.5% in volume and 37.6% in value was also seen in the Southeast Asian market to 340,379 million tonnes and $143.63 million, according to the department.
Amid the situation, local firms are working to expand export markets, and seeking new markets along with traditional ones.
