January 14, 2008

Russia halts purchase from three Vietnamese seafood exporters

Russia announced it will temporarily stop seafood imports from three Vietnamese companies as the products do not meet the country's hygiene standards.

Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) released the decision on January 1, 2008.

The three seafood companies from Vietnam are Ben Tre-based Dong Bang Xanh Company Ltd, Basaco Production and Trading Company Ltd and VinaChangHua.

The companies were previously licensed by Russia back on August 7, 2007.

Meanwhile, 15 Chinese, 2 Norwegian, 5 US and 1 Argentine company are also banned from Russian market.

VPSS has tightened its control over seafood imports from all sources since the end of 2006. Russia now only accepts imports from companies with a VPSS license.

Russia's stringent quality controls have so far resulted to the significant decline of Vietnam's seafood shipments to Russia.

However, Vietnam was able to regain part of Russia's market after a series of talks with VPSS.

As of November and December 2007, the total seafood exports to Russia were three times higher than that of October.

Currently, 24 Vietnamese companies gained license to export seafood to Russia.