(vasep.com.vn) In the context of global economic integration, it is difficult for Vietnamese seafood companies to get the breakthrough in traditional markets such as the U.S., Japan and the EU. Therefore many of them consider exports to Africa as an efficient strategy towards sustainable development.
Egypt is the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood in Africa. This country mainly purchases pangasius products. After political crisis, Vietnamese exports to this market were on the recovery in the first 4 months of 2014, with a year-on-year rise of 4 percent to US$21.46 million.
Vietnam is also eyeing on South Africa. On May 23, 2014, Trade Mission under Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa cooperated with Johannesburg's Chamber of Industry and Commerce to organize an event to introduce Vietnamese pangasius products to the market. The event was attended by many importers across the country, who then highly appreciate pangasius products.
In 2013, Vietnam sent seafood products to 32 countries in Africa to earn back US$127 million.
In order to facilitate exports to Africa, from now to the end of 2014, Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) will organize a series of conferences and activities in localities to enhance product promotion, update import-export requirements and provide market information on potential countries in this continent, according to the Africa, West Asia and South Asia Market Department under MOIT.
Besides, MOIT plans to cooperate with trade mission of Vietnamese Embassies in different African countries to help Vietnamese companies find and assess their potential partners.