Shrimp exports projected to rise

VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said last year, the local shrimp industry gained a record high at $3 billion in export value, a similar figure to rice export value and even higher than other farm produce such as coffee, rubber and pepper.

However, local shrimp trading firms promoted to sell all kinds of shrimp to China because the market imported all while traditional export markets such as the US, the EU and Japan had strict standards for Vietnamese shrimp export products, Hoe said.

He said Vietnam could gain the US$3.5 billion in shrimp export value this year but tasks of the shrimp industry are to control shrimp quality and reduction of exports to China.

Le Van Quang, general director of the Minh Phu Seafood Joint Stock Company, said the state should have solutions on controlling closely quality of shrimp to avoid a situation that shrimp exports have been sent back because some firms have infected impurities to shrimp for export, according to the Cong Thuong (Trade and Industry) newspaper.

Pham Amh Tuan, deputy head of the Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this year, the ministry would promote control of quality of export shrimp to avoid bad effects on this key export product.

The local enterprises should meet demand on quality standards for shrimp export products in key markets of the EU, US and Japan to reduce shrimp exports to China, according to VASEP.

The shrimp industry in other countries including China and Thailand needs two years to recover after the Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) that is an emerging disease caused by bacteria. So, local firms should get good chance to increase shrimp exports this year, Tuan said.

Meanwhile, the southernmost province of Ca Mau plans to increase its aquaculture export revenues to US$1.1 billion this year.

Ly Van Thuan, General Director of the Ca Mau Seafood Processors' Association, said several measures will be taken to achieve the target, which represents a year-on-year rise of 10 per cent.

These include increasing shrimp production to 250,000 tonnes, meeting 50 per cent of the processing demand, expanding export markets through trade promotion activities, and providing policy support to make aquaculture a spearhead sector in the province.

Local officials have said trade promotion activities will focus on major markets like the US, the EU, several ASEAN members, Japan and China.

The province also plans to participate in regional and international fairs to boost aquaculture exports, and enhance co-operation with other localities as well as foreign partners.