1. Why is it so cheap? If the deal seems to be too good to be true – it is! Seafood isn’t cheap and if it is there is a reason for that – likely the fish is mislabeled, pumped up with water or adulterated in some other way. Stay away from the “deals.”
2. Do I know you? If you don’t know your supplier, you are making a grave mistake. Suppliers should be partners, not a roster of revolving phone calls you make when you need a case of this or a case of that. Build a relationship with your purveyors, it will help you and help them.
3. Is this fish sustainable? We know there are a slew of competing eco-labels and certification programs out there – and, really, some are better than others. But don’t be lazy, take the time to look at these sustainable seafood certification programs to make sure the fish carrying their stamp really is sustainable.
4. How can I help? In the past several years, the“fishery improvement project,” or FIP, hasemerged as a way for retailers and foodservice professionals to directly contribute to the recovery and sustainability of a fishery they rely on. Groups such as Sea Pact are helping fund FIPs for Brazilian lobster FIP and other fisheries. Seafood companies, too, are contributing directly to FIPs. Do your part, get involved.
5. Where did this fish come from? Selling seafood today is all about tying the product back to the producer, whether that is a fisherman in Norway or fish farmer in Thailand. Know where your fish comes from – visit the fishing grounds or tour the farm.
6. What’s it taste like? Of course, at the end of the day, you are selling food – and food is all about taste. It’s surprising, therefore, how many retailers and restaurateurs have trouble articulating the taste of particular seafood to their customers. There are lots of ways to help your customers understand the taste of seafood, but first you need to know how it tastes.
7. Can you get it to me? Doesn’t matter if your supplier has the best fish on the planet, if they can’t get it to you when you need it, they’re of no use to you. Make sure you understand the logistics capabilities of your vendor.
8. Are you trendy? Plenty of suppliers just want to flip inventory; they don’t want to help you with research on food trends and new species. Don’t settle for an out-of-date supplier. Look for one who is current with trendsand other business developments that will help you sell more seafood.
9. Do I have a marketing plan for this? Ask yourself if you are truly prepared to sell the seafood you are brining into your supermarket or restaurant. Do you have best practices in place to care for the safety of the seafood? Do you have a marketing plan to really push sales of the fish or shellfish – something beyond just sticking it in the display case or putting it on the menu. Seafood customers need nurturing.
10. Should I be selling seafood at all? Look, it is way easier to sell beef and chicken – way easier. Seafood is harder. There are seasons to contend with, sustainability issues, logistic challenges, a variety of species to understand, etc. If you don’t want the complexity of selling seafood, don’t sell it. You won’t do it well and your customers – if given a bad fish – will become seafood haters, and that is not good for anyone.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Report on Vietnam Pangasius Sector 2015–2024, produced and released by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) in January 2025, is expected to provide enterprises, importers, and government agencies with a comprehensive overview of key developments in Vietnam's pangasius production and export over the past decade. In addition to highlighting achievements, the report identifies existing challenges and analyzes future opportunities and threats for the pangasius industry.
(vasep.com.vn) Overcoming two years of fluctuation in both export markets and domestic production, Vietnam's pangasius industry has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a strong determination to seize opportunities and boost exports to various markets. As a result, in 2024, pangasius exports reached USD 2 billion, a 9% increase compared to 2023. This achievement is a source of pride for Vietnam's aquaculture and agriculture sectors.
(seafood.vasep.com) Speaking at a conference to implement the 2025 plan of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the agricultural sector to strive for a total export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products reaching $70 billion by 2025.
With robust production and processing infrastructure, combined with continuous market development efforts, Vietnam’s seafood exports are poised for 10–15% growth in 2025.
In 2025, seafood exports are expected to continue to grow better and could reach 11 billion USD as in 2022. However, this is also the year the seafood industry will face challenges, including increased competition from other countries, trade wars and market barriers...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of December 25, at Toan Thinh Conference Center (Soc Trang City), the Soc Trang Fisheries Sub-department, under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang, held a conference to review the 2024 aquaculture activities and outline the brackish water shrimp farming plan for 2025. The event was attended by Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang.
The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang aims to achieve export value of over 1.9 billion USD in 2025 by boosting production and processing of key products such as seafood, high-quality rice, fruits, and garments.
The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has significantly boosted Vietnamese seafood exports, with shrimp and pangasius leading the charge in the UK market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In November 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports failed to maintain the rapid growth momentum seen earlier. Export value during the month increased by nearly 4% year-on-year, reaching approximately USD 82 million. Cumulatively, the export value for the first 11 months of 2024 totaled USD 903 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, at this growth rate, the total export turnover for 2024 is estimated to only reach around USD 1 billion.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the evening of December 24, 2024, in Hanoi, the Central Youth Union, Viet nam Youth Federation and the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association held the Vietnam Golden Star Award Ceremony 2024, with the theme "Reaching Vietnam", honoring 200 outstanding enterprises. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh attended.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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