Bright prospects ahead for pangasius exports to UK

Ta Ha, an expert of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), says pangasius exports to the UK market during Jan. - Nov. 2020 witnessed a surge of 48% to US$60.15 million.

The UK also emerged as the sole export market to achieve positive growth over a period of nine consecutive months. Statistics indicate that roughly 90% of the UK’s total import volume and value of this item comes from Vietnam. The European country tends to import frozen tra fish directly from the Vietnamese market as opposed to intermediate markets based in the EU.

Most notably, the average import price of pangasius in the UK market has remained relatively stable, ranging from between US$2.98 and US$3.98 per kilo.

Ha also reveals that there are close to 40 local firms involved in exporting pangasius to the UK, and major brands of VDTG, AGIFISH, and VINH HOAN CORP are accepted by the market.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the British people’s consumption habit as they prefer seafood that are easy to be preserved and cooked and offered at a reasonable price. Frozen Vietnamese pangasius are favourites with the British as they are quality products with an affordable price, in addition to standard processing procedures meeting requirements set out by the EU and UK markets.

Furthermore, the recent signing of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) is anticipated to open a wealth of opportunities for pangasius exports to this demanding market.

At present, Vietnam remains on the list of countries to enjoy Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) to the UK. In line with this, local products exported to this market will enjoy GSP as exporters show the certificate of origins (C/O) form A.