February 6, 2008

Vietnam to further hoist seafood sector with on-site exports

With an estimated 4 million tourists every year, Vietnam aims to boost the seafood industry by on-the-site exports to be made through markets, restaurants and hotels to promote local seafood to visitors.

Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development minister, Luong Le Phuong, emphasized the need for the seafood sector to take advantage of the influx of tourists by promoting sales which could in turn offset difficulties with exports.

Vietnam's tourist growth is perceived to further prompt seafood traders to upgrade product quality and continuous monitoring to avoid issues of antibiotic excess and meet fierce international competition.

The minister said the tourists could be great seafood consumers with effective sales and marketing policies.

Different programmes geared to promote seafood among visitors include food fairs, festivals, seafood-trial fairs with organised tours. The seafood industry was encouraged to cooperate with tourist agents to attract visitors to the Vietfish 2008, which is on June 10 ¨C 16, he said.

Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) deputy president Nguyen Huu Dung said the introduction of Vietnam's seafood to visitors is limited and much more focus is given to the promotion of the produce for export.

So far, VASEP's yearly Vietfish fair is the only venue that might boost 'on-site' exports.

Vietnam's seafood export revenue reached US$250 million for January, a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent and 6 percent of the 2008 target. The ministry targets US$4.52 billion, 19.2 percent increase in 2008.