July 1, 2020

Vietnam sees growth in shrimp exports to Canada

Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Canada have seen a consecutive increase since 2016, with a slight decline in 2019, and a recovery earlier this year. In the first four months of 2020, Vietnam took in $49.4 million from exporting shrimps to Canada, up 31% from last year. Growth in Sales of Shrimps to Canada Vietnam has seen a growth in sales of shrimps to Canada in the first four months of 2020. The export value reached $13 million in April alone, up nearly 51%. As of mid-May 2020, shrimp exports to Canada reached $54.7 million, up nearly 32% compared to the same period last year, resulting in a double-digit increase in the first four months, excluding January with a decrease. Canada – A Potential Destination for Vietnamese Shrimps Canada is given the rank of the sixth biggest importer of Vietnamese shrimps, accounting for 5.7% of a total of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the world. Vietnam has seen a consecutive increase in sales of shrimps to Canada since 2016, experienced only a slight decline in 2019 and made recovery with growth earlier this year. Canada is considered a potential destination of Vietnamese shrimps. Increase in Density of White Leg Shrimps Going to Canada Among shrimp products going to Canada, there’s an increase in density of white leg shrimps. Canada is consuming a large amount of warm water shrimps from Southeast Asia regardless of a slump in cold water shrimp supply. Vietnam Offers the Highest Prices to Canada According to statistics by the World Trade Center, Canada reduced its purchases of shrimp in the first three months of 2020. India, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Ecuador are the biggest buyers of Vietnamese shrimp respectively. Among Canada’s shrimp suppliers, Vietnam offers the highest prices. As for the density of shrimps going to Canada, India and Vietnam have been increasing their densities while Thailand and China have seen consecutive decline. Canada reduced their purchases of shrimps from Thailand and China in the first three months of this year.

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China’s Stricter Examination of Imported Agricultural Products and Seafood

The Chinese government’s recent announcement of a stricter examination of imported agricultural products and seafood could impact the clearance schedules at the Vietnam-China border gates. This post explores the implications of this development on exporting companies involved in the trading of imported agricultural products and seafood and provides recommendations to ensure smooth clearance. Introduction The Chinese government has announced a stricter examination of imported agricultural products and seafood, which could impact the clearance schedules at the Vietnam-China border gates. The move comes after detecting a new epicenter of coronavirus outbreak related to the Xinfadi agricultural products wholesale market in Beijing. The Ministry of Trade and Industry reports that the local governments of China are currently reviewing the food safety and traceability of agricultural products, meats, and seafood from different markets. Verification Paper of Quarantine Required Exporting companies involved in the trading of imported agricultural products and seafood must now present a verification paper of quarantine issued by the General Administration of Customs of China to avoid any issues with the clearance schedules at the border gates of the two nations. This new requirement aims to reduce potential risks and enhance the supervision of quality for imported agricultural products and seafood. Adhering to China’s Regulations In addition to the verification paper of quarantine, exporting companies must also adhere to China’s regulations of quality standards, quarantine and verification, food safety, and traceability. The companies must ensure that their products meet the required standards and provide clear documentation to verify the quality and traceability of their products. Impact on Vietnam-China Border Gates This new development will have an impact on the clearance schedules of imported agricultural products and seafood at the Vietnam-China border gates. The new requirement for a verification paper of quarantine issued by the General Administration of Customs of China will lead to a longer processing time at the border gates. Exporting companies may also face delays if their products do not meet the required quality standards, quarantine and verification, food safety, and traceability. Recommendations It is crucial that exporting companies follow China’s regulations to ensure smooth clearance and avoid any issues with their products. To avoid any delays, companies should obtain the required verification paper of quarantine in advance and ensure that their products meet the required quality standards, quarantine and verification, food safety, and traceability. Companies should also work closely with their local authorities to obtain any necessary documentation and clearances. Conclusion The Chinese government’s announcement of a stricter examination of imported agricultural products and seafood could have a significant impact on the clearance schedules at the Vietnam-China border gates. Exporting companies must ensure that they adhere to China’s regulations of quality standards, quarantine and verification, food safety, and traceability to avoid any issues with their products. By taking the necessary steps, companies can ensure smooth clearance and maintain their competitiveness in the market.

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Effective and Sustainable Solutions for Brackish Shrimp Farming Post-COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the cultivation of brackish shrimps, and farmers, companies, and local governments are seeking sustainable and effective solutions for this sector. To address this, the Directorate of Fisheries held a forum in Sóc Trăng on June 16, which focused on technical solutions and development management in brackish shrimp farming. The forum was attended by shrimp farmers in the Mekong Delta, aquaculture-related companies, and international organizations such as GIZ and WWF Vietnam. The discussions centered on significant contents for the development of the brackish shrimp sector after the pandemic. Prompt Recommendations and Quality Assurance To achieve the target of sustainable and effective shrimp farming, the Directorate of Fisheries requested local authorities to follow the weather forecasts and provide prompt recommendations to farmers. Companies and shrimp farmers should apply schemes such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and ASC to improve their product value without using prohibited or chemical substances in cultivation. Furthermore, intermediates should be reduced to cut down on production costs, and product quality should be improved. Ngô Tiến Chương, a representative of GIZ, emphasized that global consumers are paying more attention to organic products and traceability. Thus, innovation in shrimp farming must be changed from thinking to acting. The Role of Technology and Innovation GIZ has been implementing projects in aquaculture that include technology appliances and innovation in shrimp farming. For example, the model for climate change adaptation has helped improve the value chain of shrimp, and the project of improving the post-larvae quality in Vietnam has been beneficial. According to Chương, technology and innovation can provide effective and sustainable solutions to brackish shrimp farming after the pandemic.

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Shrimp Exports and Prices in Cà Mau Province Recovering Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Shrimp exports in Cà Mau Province, Vietnam are bouncing back after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant drop in export turnover during the first four months of the year. The province’s shrimp export turnover saw a 20 percent decline year-on-year due to the pandemic. However, the shrimp export turnover is now only 10 percent lower compared to the same period last year. Shrimp Exports and Prices in Ca Mau Province Recovering As shrimp exports surge, the price of shrimp material is also increasing. For example, whiteleg shrimp size 100 pcs per kilo is being sold for VNĐ86,000 (US$3.7) per kilo, up 20 percent compared to mid-March. The price of giant tiger shrimp, while still lower than before COVID-19, has also increased by VNĐ10,000 – 15,000 per kilo compared to mid-March. Shrimp Exports Surge and Prices Rise Several markets for shrimp, such as China, South Korea, Japan, and some European countries, are relaxing their COVID-19 prevention measures and resuming their imports. Dương Vũ Nam, deputy director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said that this is contributing to the recovery of shrimp exports and prices. Several Markets Relaxing Covid-19 Measures and Resuming Imports To facilitate export growth quickly and sustainably, Nguyễn Tiến Hải, chairman of the People’s Committee, has instructed departments and authorities to push for more productive farming models and carry out demand and market price forecasts to help farmers with production. Businesses are encouraged to resume trade activities quickly with the countries that have controlled the pandemic early and find new markets as opposed to waiting for existing ones where COVID-19 is still active. Efforts to Facilitate Export Growth and Find New Markets Cà Mau has one of the largest aquaculture farming areas in Vietnam, at around 302,000 hectares, and exports nearly $1.2 billion worth of shrimp annually.

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Mollusk Exports in Quảng Ninh Resume after Pandemic Woes

The coronavirus pandemic caused a number of difficulties for the export of mollusks in Quảng Ninh, but now they can be exported back to China. The Cái Rồng port, near the mollusk farming area owned by households in Vân Đồn district, is busy these days as at least 140 tons of mollusks are sold each day, a threefold increase compared to April 2020. The Pacific oyster farmers have increased their selling volume from 30 tons to 100 tons each day, with the spike of 120 tons. The turgid venus shell, the strength of the district, can be exported to China from May 10th. Export Resumption The Quảng Ninh People’s Committee submitted a report on difficulties to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. After that, turgid venus shells can be exported to China starting May 10th. Once farmers produced and consumed upon the domestic supporting programs, they now have nearly 40 tons of turgid venus shell sold per day, mainly for exports. Impact of the Pandemic Mollusk exports in Quảng Ninh encountered difficulties due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However, now that exports are resuming, the mollusk business is experiencing a rise in sales. Farmers are able to sell at least 140 tons of mollusks per day, which is a significant increase compared to April 2020. Conclusion The resumption of mollusk exports in Quảng Ninh is a relief for the farmers and stakeholders of the industry. This comeback has a significant impact on the local economy and the people who rely on the mollusk industry for their livelihood. The keyword for this content is “Mollusk Exports.”

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Digital Traceability Techniques: The Key to Eliminating IUU Fishing and Facilitating Seafood Export

Digital traceability techniques have been deployed in the fishing industry to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities while facilitating seafood export. These techniques have been particularly important for Vietnamese fishermen and companies seeking to remove the “yellow card” warning given by the European Commission and meet their recommendations. Compliance with Logbook Requirements Most offshore fishing boats have been complying with the requirements of recording and handing in logbooks as stipulated by the Fisheries Law. However, fishermen, companies, and management agencies have faced difficulties with written logbooks. To address this challenge, the Center for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) worked with the Directorate of Fisheries to pilot the application of digital logbooks and traceability (eCDT). Digital Traceability Techniques Digital traceability techniques are part of the project “Applying and experimenting technologies in exploitation and traceability in Vietnam” sponsored by USAID Oceans. Bình Định is the first province to take part in the trial of 10 tuna fishing boats owned by Hoài Nhơn farmers. This pilot program aims to deploy digital logbooks and traceability to facilitate the certification of exploitation and traceability of seafood products. Benefits of Digital Traceability Applying digital traceability techniques not only eliminates IUU fishing activities but also facilitates the seafood going to countries around the world. By using digital logbooks, the traceability of seafood products can be enhanced, and the process can be streamlined. This, in turn, enables fishing companies to maintain and expand their export markets. Conclusion In conclusion, the deployment of digital traceability techniques has been a significant step in the fishing industry, especially for Vietnamese fishermen and companies. This technology has facilitated the certification of exploitation and traceability of seafood products, eliminated IUU fishing activities, and enabled fishermen to maintain and expand their export markets.

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Vietnamese Pangasius Exports to EU See Sharp Decline Amidst Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the export of Vietnamese pangasius to the European Union (EU). As of mid-May 2020, the total export value of Vietnamese pangasius to the EU had fallen by almost 36% compared to the same period in the previous year. Sales of pangasius in the European markets have seen consecutive drops in the first five months of 2020. Declining Export Value The export value of seafood going to single markets in the EU has seen a drop of 31.3% in the Netherlands, 31.7% in Germany, 16.9% in Spain, and 37.7% in Belgium from the previous year. The EU has been ranked as the fourth biggest Vietnamese pangasius importer, trailing China-Hongkong, the US, and ASEAN. Impact of Covid-19 The novel coronavirus outbreak had a serious impact on pangasius exports to the EU market early this year, with a hard hit surge in March 2020. The prices of domestic pangasius material decreased as an inevitable trend when China, the core market of Vietnamese pangasius, became stagnant, resulting in a slump in export value of pangasius going to the EU. Destination and Highlight of Exports In the first five months of 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Belgium were the four biggest destinations of Vietnam’s pangasius companies. The Netherlands alone accounted for 30% of the total pangasius export value to the EU. The highlight of exports to this country was frozen breaded pangasius, frozen pangasius fillet, frozen pangasius steaks, frozen pangasius nugget, and whole fish. Possible Future Slump in Value Covid-19 continues to hit the European countries and has a serious impact on the economy in many countries. EU governments prepared for a scenario of a historically economic recession in May 2020. As forecasted, the exports of pangasius to the EU are expected to suffer from the consequences of the pandemic and face a possible and consecutive slump in value in the next few months.

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Fish Catches Gradually Recovering in South Central Provinces

With the COVID-19 outbreak in south-central provinces, fish catches have been negatively impacted. However, local fishermen are reporting that fish catches are gradually recovering. Increased Demand from Tourists Liên, a seafood trader in Bình Thuận province, reports that seafood consumption has increased in recent days due to the return of tourists to Phan Thiết. She notes that the Phan Thiết fishing port has been busy with fishermen bringing many kinds of seafood, such as yellow stripe trevally, mackerel, squid, and other local species from the sea. Increased Profits for Fishermen Fisherman Nam in La Gi commune of Bình Thuận province has seen an increase in fish prices and profits. He mentions that petrol and oil costs were low, and the catch was big, and seafood prices have increased. Opportunities for More Profits The author reports that provinces such as herrings, shrimp, shellfish, scallop, and speck are appearing in many areas. Fishermen are entering the South Fish Season, and the prices of petrol and oil are low, providing opportunities for more profit. Preparing to Fish Tuna Fishermen in neighbouring Phu Yên province are getting ready to fish tuna as the COVID-19 situation in the Republic of Korea and China is under control, and import demand is expected to gradually recover.

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Vietnam’s Aquatic Exports Decline Amidst COVID-19: Analysis and Forecast

Vietnam’s aquatic exports earned 570 million USD in May, bringing the total figure in the first five months of 2020 to nearly 3 billion USD. Unfortunately, this is a 6 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. The decline was attributed to the impact of COVID-19, which hit almost all of Vietnam’s export markets, such as China, the Republic of Korea, the EU countries, and the US. Pangasius Exports Decline to the EU Especially noteworthy is the export of pangasius to the EU, which decreased by 36 percent year-on-year to 53.4 million USD. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the shipments to this market are forecast to continue to decrease in the next several months. Shrimp Exports Maintain Growth In the five-month period of 2020, only shrimp exports maintained a growth rate of nearly 4 percent, with an export value of nearly 1.2 billion USD. This was a notable exception to the overall decline in seafood exports, which were estimated at over 1.1 billion USD, down over 4 percent compared to the same period in 2019. COVID-19 Impact on Aquatic Exports The impact of COVID-19 on Vietnam’s aquatic exports is significant, with the pandemic affecting almost all of its export markets. With the ongoing global situation, it is challenging to predict future market trends, and the situation in Vietnam will depend on how COVID-19 continues to impact the country’s economy.

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Seafood exports forecasted to increase in Vietnam despite pandemic

Despite a 1.6% decrease in May 2020, Vietnam’s seafood exports are projected to see a significant jump in the last months of the year. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that sales of Vietnamese seafood to China have increased by 35% in April and 20% in May, following the control of the coronavirus pandemic in China. Additionally, Japan, which has been importing Vietnamese seafood continuously, saw an increase in value of 16% in April and 9% in May. Japan expected to remain as the biggest market for Vietnamese seafood According to VASEP, the growth rate in Japan suggests that it will continue to be the biggest destination for Vietnamese seafood in 2020, compensating for the decline in seafood sales to the EU and the US. Although seafood exports to China were 2% lower than the same period last year, it is projected that exports to China in June 2020 will either be equal to or slightly higher than the same period last year. Shrimp and Pangasius exports in Vietnam Despite the pandemic, Vietnam saw a nearly 4% increase in shrimp exports, amounting to $1.2 billion. Shrimp exports increased by 6% in April and May. Meanwhile, pangasius exports have been recovering since May, with an export value in May of nearly $600 million, which is higher than the previous month. Forecasted recovery of seafood exports The EU market opened in May, resulting in a possible high demand in the next few months. However, the impact of the pandemic on global seafood trading is expected to continue, which will make it difficult for Vietnam to recover its seafood exports in the last months of the year. Recommendation for Vietnam seafood exporters Vietnam seafood exporters are advised to apply science and technology to reduce the impact of disease outbreaks and increase economic efficiency, such as multiple stage practice, round ponds, floating ponds and pond liners. Additionally, they should pay attention to the technical process from pond rehabilitation to water treatment and post larvae selection to increase productivity.

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