Four Vietnamese companies exempted from catfish anti-dumping tax

Four Vietnamese tra catfish exporters namely QVD, Vinh Hoan, Samefico and Cadovimex 2, have been granted anti-dumping tax by the US Commerce Department after its fifth administrative imports review.

However, the US Commerce Department last year continued its general tariff on Vietnam's fish fillets beyond a five-year sunset imports review. The tariff for the next five years will range between 26.84% and 63.88%, of which it is subject to administrative review during each of the five years with eligible exporters declared anti-dumping-tax exempt.

Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) Association pointed out that the ruling will have an adverse impact on the competitiveness of tra and basa catfish in the US market. Not only the exporters, but also the US production companies, workers and consumers will be affected by the higher prices.

Vietnam's Industry and Trade Ministry insists that the country's exporters do not "dump" catfish into the US market and casts doubts on whether the US anti-dumping decisions since 2002 truly reflects the reality of Vietnam's tra and basa production and marketing.

Exports of tra fish to the US increase by 70% from last year to 41,609 tonnes totalling US$1.34 million sales despite the anti-dumping tariff. Revenues from tra and basa exports reached US$1.3 billion in 2009 and are expected to rise to US$1.5 billion this year.