(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2013, cephalopod imports into some large markets such as South Korea, Japan, EU witnessed a deep dive. Through Mar 2013, cephalopod export value to large consumers (South Korea, Japan, EU) saw a reduction of 8.8 – 53.4 percent against a year ago.
Therefore, exports to the U.S., a potential market, marked the deepest fall of 50 percent compared to the same period of 2012. Exports to three main markets in EU (Italy, Belgium and Germany) declined by 18.2 percent; 60.2 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively over the same period of 2012.
While exports to other destinations such as Thailand, China-Hong Kong and Taiwan rose by 28.6 percent; 7.3 percent and 8 percent over a year ago. The markets are both partners and competitors with Vietnam cephalopod exporters.
In Jan-Mar 2013, catch volume of squid and octopus was down by 5-7 percent from the same period of 2012. As a result, processors faced shortage of raw material.
High charges for each off-shore fishing trip in addition to the low squid price, caused sensitive losses for fishermen. As a result, some fishermen stopped practicing off-shore fishing or looked for other jobs.
In Mar 2013, squid and octopus exports sank by 19.4 – 56.4 percent in value from Mar 2012. In contrast, in Mar 2012, exports to markets saw positive growth: exports to South Korea (+0.6 percent), Japan (+92.8 percent), ASEAN (+123.9 percent), China-Hong Kong (+4.4 percent), the U.S. (+14.1 percent), Australia (+225.4 percent), Taiwan (+47.6 percent), Canada (+77.3 percent) over the same period of the previous year.