Ca Mau seafood exports are undergoing transformation in the post-COVID-19 era

Ca Mau is regarded as the shrimp capital of Vietnam, of which the farming area represents for approximately 280,000 hectares of the total existing aquaculture area of more than 300,000 ha.

Utilizing and effectively exploiting the province's great potential and advantages along with good opportunities from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Ca Mau constantly promotes the development of the shrimp processing sector for export in order to increase value of export turnover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grasp the 'golden opportunity” to boost exports

In 2021 and the early months of 2022, shrimp processing enterprises in Ca Mau continue to take advantage of the opportunities and advantages from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to raise the value of their exports.

Deputy Director of Ca Mau Department of Industry and Trade Duong Vu Nam said that Vietnam has signed many FTAs including CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA, RCEP, FTA, etc. This brings preferential tariff treatment for the province's exporters, especially seafood exporters.

According to Mr. Nam, seafood export is the most important industry, accounting for 92% of the province's total export turnover. Immediately after the EVFTA took effect on August 1, 2020, Vietnam's black tiger shrimp is able to enjoy the GPS tax rate of 0%, and the tax rate on whiteleg shrimp gradualy reduces to 0% after 5 years. Meanwhile, some other countries such as Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Ecuador are subject to the basic tax rate under the provisions of the EVFTA. 

Besides, exporters in Ca Mau take advantage of great advantages to boost exports as soon as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) officially came into effect from January 1, 2022. This is the world's largest FTA, covering 15 large markets around the world including 10 ASEAN countries, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

By grasping this opportunity, in 2021, Ca Mau's export turnover to EVFTA member countries (EU) increased by 45.73%, to the UK (UKVFTA Agreement) increased by 53.31%, and to CPTPP countries increased 3% on the corresponding period last year. In addition, export turnover to some main markets of the province also grew dramatically; specifically, to the US market rose by 40.42%, to China rose by 30.1%, to Cambodia rose by 70.8%...

The increased export price of Ca Mau's shrimp has helped Ca Mau exporters improve their competitiveness in commodity in export markets.

Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first quarter of 2022, Ca Mau's seafood processing sector still grew strongly compared to the same period in 2021. Specifically, the province's export turnover was estimated at 373 million USD, equivalent to 32.4% of the year plan, an increase of 104.6%; in which, seafood processing for export (mainly shrimp industry) is estimated at over 276 million USD, up 68.3% and fertilizer processing for export is estimated at 96.7 million USD, up 433.4% compared to the same period last year. Currently, the shrimp export market of Ca Mau province is stable, and Ca Mau shrimp has been present in more than 90 countries and territories around the world.

Compiled by Khanh Linh