(vasep.com.vn) By the end of June, the total pangasius exports to China reached US$ 70.15 million, up 50.7% year-on-year, marking a significant growth.
Data from International Trade Center (ITC) revealed that in QI/2015, China increase imports seafood coded HS03 by 10% compared to QI/ 2014. however, it was 14% lower than QIV/2014. Frozen, whole fish (HS0303) occupied the largest share in seafood import structure with 27.5%.
Seafood import demand of China increased sharply, however, pelagic, mostly cod imported from Russia dominated the market.
In QI/2015, Vietnam was the only pangasius supplier to China. Pangasius imports surged by 50% compared to QI/2014. It is expected that many opportunities are reserved for pangasius exporters. Nonetheless, it is a potential market which grows when other falls, not a sustainable one.
In recent years, China has focused on aquaculture. Farming in 11 key provinces including Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hubei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong, Anhui and Hunan represents 90% of aquaculture production. These provinces are coastal areas or located along the river with unique aquatic species. Cheap freshwater aquaculture production can only fulfill demand in small provinces. The market needs more seafood products, including pangasius.
There are 3 reasons for the surge in Vietnam pangasius exports to China in H1/2015. Firstly, as demand in major importing market such as the US, EU, ASEAN, Mexico, Brazil reduce, market diversity is a must and China is a new and potential one. Secondly beside consumption, China imported pangasius to process and export to the US. Thirdly, to sustainably develop domestic seafood industry, Chinese government offered a new credit package of 20 billion Yuan beside other policies to encourage imports.
Despite being a potential market for pangasius from Vietnam, most trading activities are cross-border. Just over 10% of the imported products were for restaurants, mostly for other domestic consumption and processing. Quality is not highly required, which is not good for reputation of exported pangasius and other seafood. This causes risks of price, payment, quality requirements and therefore, China not a stable market. But still, it is a a potential alternative market while demand major markets decline.