May 11, 2012

EU Fisheries Committee to support rising Vietnamese seafood imports

Vietnam has welcomed the European Parliament Fisheries Committee's support of improving conditions for Vietnam's seafood exports to the EU, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vu Van Tam, revealed.

Tam added that he hopes the EU will become Vietnam's leading buyer of seafood, and highlighted the relations between the two parties have been moving forward successfully towards a broader and more involved development, especially in trade.

While Vietnam wants the application of advanced certificates, this will raise prices and put pressure on consumption markets, according to reports.

The biggest challenge for Vietnam's seafood exporters is to make updated information available for importers regarding the industry's efforts to improve the quality of its farmed marine products, Tam explained.

To strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and the Committee, Tam proposed specific measures including more dialogues and sharing of information.

The country now expects to obtain technical help and consultation from the Committee on the development of Vietnam's fisheries, as well as positive conditions for Vietnam's seafood to access up-to-date technology in production and exports. Vietnam also anticipates that it will receive help as it deals with obstacles when exporting seafood to the EU market, he said.

President of the Committee, Mato Adrover, affirmed that both parties shared a common point of view on how to manage and develop the seafood industry, and also agreed that the EU, the European Parliament and Vietnam should have more open dialogues and exchanges of knowhow.

In the first two months of 2012, Vietnam's seafood exports reached US$775 million -- 12.4% higher compared to the same period last year. And the EU accounted for a total of US$156.7 million. 

In February 2012, the EU imported US$85.9 million worth of seafood, an increase of 44% versus the second months of 2011, informed the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The value of pangasius shipments to the EU increased 32.8% in February, showing the highest growth in the observed block in Spain: 118.4%. On the contrary, export value to the Netherlands, Germany and Poland went on falling.