January 18, 2007

Vietnam's Ca Mau province upbeat on seafood exports this year

Despite being stricken with the dreaded bird flu, the southern province of Ca Mau is hoping 2007 will still be a big year for seafood exports with a new target of selling 72,500 tonnes, up from 66,000 tonnes in 2006.

If this goal is reached, the province could earn US$650 million, posting a 12 percent increase from last year, according to provincial authorities. Ca Mau is already the leading seafood product exporter in the Mekong Delta region.

To meet the new target, Ca Mau built Hoa Trung and Song Doc industrial zones specifically for seafood processing plant development and their expansion or upgrades.

Another focus is expanding Ca Mau's market presence in the local market as well as in US, EU, Japan, South Korea and China.

Food safety is also a concern for the province in order to be competitive internationally as authorities have already started inspections in seafood processing plants to ensure they are meeting hygiene standards.

Local fisheries have applied to the International Organisation of Standards (ISO), an international body determining standards worldwide and six companies have by far been ISO-certified.

All seafood exporters have also applied for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) accreditation.

Though still early in the year, seafood companies are looking to meet the target by offering trade promotions and boosting production.

The volume of processed seafood products has reached 856 tonnes with an export value of US$8.5 million this month.