Vietnamese bivalve molluscs conquers demanding markets
VOV.VN - Due to an abundance of domestic raw materials, Vietnamese bivalve mollusc products continue to enjoy numerous advantages to increase exports, especially to the EU market, according to industry insiders.
November saw Lenger Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd export its first container of canned clam to the EU, with production and processing procedures meeting the stringent standards set by the fastidious market.
At present, the company has received numerous orders to export clams to the EU market, while simultaneously preparing raw materials in a bid to fulfil orders made by foreign partners early next year, said Lo Thi Kim Dung of the company’s Import-Export Department.
Furthermore, the firm has continued modernising its production line as it seeks potential customers from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Russia for its canned clams.
Along with Lenger Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd., a number of local seafood companies such as the Thanh Hoa Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Minh Dang Co., Ltd., Thai Binh Clam Co., Ltd, Viet Long Kien Giang Co., Ltd., and Ben Tre Seafood Joint Stock Company are taking advantage of available domestic raw materials. This is being done as a means of increasing exports to foreign markets, especially the EU market.
According to details given by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the EU remains the largest consumer of Vietnamese bivalve molluscs, duly accounting for 62% of the country’s total export value.
Vietnamese bivalve mollusk exports to the EU market by mid-November surged by 38.5% to reach US$73.7 million against the same period from last year, with key export products including white clams and frozen cooked brown clams.
Italy, Spain, and Portugal make up the three single largest importers in the bloc of Vietnamese bivalve molluscs during the reviewed period.
This comes as exports to Italy edged up 49% to reach over US$22 million, followed by Spain with US$21.3 million, and Portugal with US$17.5 million.
The average export price of the product in the Italian market ranges between US$2.35 and US$2.69 per kilo, while that in Spanish and Portuguese markets typically hovers between US$1.7 and US$2 per kilo.
Although France ranks sixth in terms of importing Vietnamese bivalve mollusc within the EU, exports of the product to the demanding market recorded the best growth rate of 191% during the reviewed period.
Experts attributed the rise in bivalve mollusc exports to the EU to the growing market demand, stable production of clams, and tax incentives following the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
