The Mekong River countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar produce about 62 million tonnes of rice, or 13% of global output, US Department of Agriculture data show. The river accounts for as much as 25% of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for at least 60 million people, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Vietnam exported about $3 billion of shrimp last year. Almost half of Vietnam's population of 91 million works in agriculture, which accounts for about 13% of the economy.