(vasep.com.vn) During last months of 2013, Vietnam seafood exports have been boosted thanks to higher demand from markets such as Japan and Australia were facilitated.
Exports of shrimp, key export item, are expected to soar by the end of the year and contribute to realize the target of seafood exports this year.
Boosting shrimp exports
Japan’s competent agencies are considering to raise maximum residue limits (MRL) for Ethoxyquin (ETQ) on shrimp originated from Vietnam to 0.2 ppm from the current level of 0.01ppm. The final decision on the MRL of ETQ is expected to officially announce the end of January 2014.
In 2012, Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan were hindered by Japan’s ETQ inspection. Accordingly, shrimp consignments of some Vietnam exporters must be returned, leading to increasing costs for them.
During the past time, Vietnam’s competent authorities and enterprises have taken great efforts to improve ETQ problem. In 2013, Vietnam shrimp shipment to Japan recovered. Through October 2013, shrimp exports to the market enjoyed a year-on-year growth of 13 percent to reach US$574.5 million.
Moreover, shrimp exports to the U.S. and Australia are soaring. Through October 2013, Vietnam shrimp exports to Australia continued to rise 14.3 percent year-on-year and Vietnam remained the top position in supplying processed shrimp and raw shrimp to the market.
Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, Vietnam’s the largest shrimp exporter, reported that its net revenue in QIII/2013 increased 93 percent year-on-year to VND3,650 billion thanks to the exemption of antidumping duty of POR 7 and countervailing duty given by the U.S.
Pangasius exports remains slack
Unlike shrimp, pangasius exports in the last months of the year saw a slow recovery amid instability in raw fish price caused by supply shortage. Pangasius exports to some traditional markets (the U.S., China) in recent months reported a continuous fall.
The price of fish feed is expected to rise in the near time due to increase in input costs for producing fish feed, leading more hardship to farmers.
Pangasius exports was dominated by the U.S. In the last September, sales from US restaurants were hit by the U.S. government shutdown. Accordingly, high inventory caused by low fish consumption deterred U.S importers from continuing to import pangasius.
The price of raw pangasius in the Mekong Delta is in the range of VND22,000 – 22,500; VND1,500 – 2,000 lower than production cost of fish.
Pangasius exports in 2013 are estimated to reach US$1.8 billion, making up 26.7 percent of Vietnam’s total seafood export turnover, according to VASEP.