January 3, 2011

Vietnamese firms eyeing exports to Japanese seafood market

Vietnamese firms are keen on exporting seafood products to Japan, however, they must first focus on food safety standards if they want to export seafood to Japan, said Vo Thanh Ha, deputy head, North East Asia Division, of Vietnam's Industry and Trade Ministry, on Wednesday (Dec 29).

"Japanese consumers are particular about quality, durability, and convenience of products," he said.

Last year the Japanese government lifted a ban on Vietnamese dragon fruits after Vietnam had begun treating the fruit for melon flies, in accordance with Japanese standards.

Ha had apprised delegates about Japanese Industrial Standards for industrial products and Japan Agricultural Standards.

Officials from the Japan Environment Association urged exporters to apply for "Ecomark," a certification that signifies that a product does not harm the environment.

Exporters need to find information about business and technical barriers in Japan from Vietnamese commercial counsellors, Japan External Trade Organisation, and trade groups to crack the market, Ha said.

Ha noted that apart from quality and other requirements, the severe competition from other countries would also be a challenge for Vietnamese firms eyeing Japan.

Le Quang Lan, deputy head of the ministry's Multilateral Trade Policy Department, said, "Japan has promised assistance for several Vietnamese projects to improve quality and food hygiene and safety to improve access to the Japanese market."