International Training Courses 2014 - Third Round in Viet Nam:
SHRIMP - PANGASIUS SENSORY EVALUATION
Sensory evaluation is one of the compulsory procedures at import inspection stations of many importing countries; especially in the United States, inspectors of the Food Administration and Drug (US FDA) directly take samples and inspect imported seafood product consignments. According to statistics of the US FDA and imported seafood warning channels, reasons related to sensory evaluations for which seafood shipments were rejected or seafood enterprises were put on warning lists usually have been accounted the highest rate, in which the most reasons were filth and decomposition..
According to sensory evaluation experts, enterprises can fully identify and eliminate defects related to sensory at the enterprises through implementation of a preliminary sensory evaluation during whole process from raw material reception to step before shipment. This significantly helps enterprises eliminate/reduce substandard products to avoid consequences related to economic damage or reputation damage of the enterprises.
With importance of seafood product sensory evaluation knowledge and skills for export enterprise staff, the VASEP Training and Trade Promotion Center (VASEP.PRO) under of Vietnam Association of Seafood Entrepreneurs (VASEP) intend to conduct two training courses in sensory evaluation for the two main export seafood subjects including shrimp and pangasius with the teaching and practice guidance of Mr. James Barnett, a leading sensory expert of the United States and a former senior official of the U.S. FDA:
I. Time and Venue:
- 24-25 Nov, 2014: Fresh/Frozen Shrimp Sensory.
- 27 Nov, 2014: Pangasius Species: US FDA and Import Concerns.
In Cuu Long Hotel (***) 52 Quang Trung Str., Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho City, Viet Nam
II. Training course contents
1. Regulations and standards of the US FDA on acceptable and rejectable levels in sensory evaluation as well as food safety hazards.
2. Tools and techniques of sensory and quality assessment practices of:
- Prawn, including fresh and cooked shrimp and frozen shrimp of 2 main export species of Vietnam: black tiger shrimp and vannamei shrimp.
- Pangasius
3. Sensory evaluation practice on shrimp and pangasius samples.
III. Participants
1. QA/QC, Sensory evaluators, technicians in seafood processing enterprises.
2. Quality control staff, researchers and analyzers at institutes, universities and governmental authorities related to seafood quality.
3. Interested individual, raw material collectors, middlemen.
IV. Expert: MR. JAMES BARNETT
James Barnett with over 33 years experience working for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food and seafood sensory analyst and then as FDA’s National/International Seafood Sensory Expert, He brings to the table valuable sensory knowledge.
Further details please contact us:
Programme Officer: Ms Ngoc Dzung, Tel: +84.43.8354496 – Ext 223; Mobile: +84 988-428-828, Email: ngocdung@vasep.com.vn
Programme Officer: Ms Hien Nguyen, Tel: +84.43.8354496 – Ext 210; Mobile: +84 906-076-587, Email: thuhien@vasep.com.vn
Sensory Evaluation 2014. Can Tho Viet Nam
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn