EU is an export market that brings high added value and is the destination of many seafood exporters in Ba Ria – Vung Tau. With 20 enterprises authorized for export to EU, its average annual seafood export turnover reaches US$200 million. So far this year, Ba Ria – Vung Tau’s export turnover to this market decreased by 11% over the same period of 2009. Besides such common difficulties as lack of raw materials for processing, lack of labor, problems of domestic and international legal regulations, the biggest trouble is weakening EUR and decreasing expenditure.
Mr. Le Van Khang, General Director of Coimex said that exporters to EU must meet such mandatory standards as food hygiene, safety, labeling manners, documentation, delivery deadlines, etc as well as understand “rules” of importers to maintain this market.
Although more strict requirements, EU remains an ideal market for exporters with the attractiveness of price and high input power. Mr. Nguyen Canh Cuong, Deputy General Director of European Market Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam said some EU member states remain the support regime for enterprises in the block to cooperate with Vietnam’s enterprises. Besides, some member countries such Finland and Sweden are designing the support program for new enterprises to seek partners in Vietnam. Especially, EU highly assesses ecological environment in Vietnam, EU consumers are willing to pay higher price for organic products and considers Vietnam as one of potential organic product producers. Agriculture and fishery product producers must understand Euro GAP standards and pay attention to other issues such as pesticide residues management, social responsibility, fair trade, etc.
In Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) also has programs to help its enterprises improve product quality, trade promotion and market expansion to EU. In 2010 alone, MIT held many workshops and supported some enterprises to research EU market. This is a good opportunity for enterprises to bring their products into the market.