Tra and basa prove to be the main seafood export items of Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.   The total output of tra and basa (catfish) is expected to reach 210,000 tonnes this year, valued at $560mil.   Statistics show that catfish exports have been growing in all export markets. Catfish is selling especially well in the EU and East Europe: Russia imports nearly $54.9mil worth of catfish products, while Poland imports $45mil.   Tra and basa material prices have been increasing in the domestic market. Tra is selling high at VND12,500-VND14,500/kg, which is encouraging households to farm this kind of fish.   The troubles in the US market (shrimp anti-dumping lawsuit) and Japan (related to food hygiene) have not affected seafood exports much. Total seafood export turnover has still witnessed the increases of 30% from Japan, 23% from the US and 16% from the EU.   Japan is still the leading export market of Vietnam (seafood), consuming 25% of total exports, followed by the EU (21.6%). The US has fallen to third (20%). The Republic of Korea is also a big importer of Vietnam's seafood (6.2%).   The General Statistics Office (GSO) has announced the total seafood export turnover of $3.36bil for this year, or $500mil higher than the targeted yearly plan, a satisfactory result despite the fierce competition in the world market and new trade barriers. Seafood ranks fourth in the club of export items which have the export turnover of $1bil and higher.   Vietnam hopes to reach the yearly seafood export turnover of $4-4.5bil by 2010, which, according to Deputy Minister of Fisheries Nguyen Hong Minh, is within reach.   Ha Yen