November 11, 2020

A 7.3% increase in sales of Vietnamese pangasius was recorded in England in the first half of 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the first half of 2020 saw a 15.2 % increase pangasius exports to England year on year, reaching $31.7% million. This is recorded as the most positive growth among the top 10 importers of Vietnamese pangasius in the first six months this year. The selling prices of pangasius to England ranged between 2.98 and 3.98 USD/kg, which were the most attractive prices in the first half of 2020. If this remains in the next two quarters, exports to England may increase by 10% this year. According to businesses, they will adopt strategies to promote the image of pangasius in big markets, especially the EU when EVFTA becomes effective with multiple tariff benefits. Furthermore, they will boost their online trade to seek for more markets and partners. Pangasius export value is forecasted to reach approximately $1.6 billion in 2020.

Pangasius exports in South America, Middle East and Asean reached zero in the first 12 days of May 2020, sharply fell in the US and EU and slightly decreased in China compared to May 2019. At the same time, Vietnam’s major pangasius producing companies increased working days from the previous month while prices of pangasius material remained low at 18,000-18,200 dong/kg, the lowest number in the last ten years. Prices of pangasius broodstock size 30 pcs/kg in the Mekong Delta dropped 1,000-2,000 dong/kg. The pangasius material market in the Mekong Delta in early May 2020 was dull. The sluggish demand for pangasius material in the domestic market is attributed to dull exports in the first half of May with a few new orders and large amounts of stockpiles amid low export prices. Prices of white leg shrimp material fell in May when some factories increased their stockpiles while exporting slowly. And yet, shrimp prices are supported by slowly recovering supply sources. The farm gate price of white leg shrimp size 100 pcs/kg was 95,000 dong/kg as of May 21, 2020, slightly up 8,000 dong compared to May 13, 2020.

Tilapia are now mature enough to process in China, but Covid-19 has delayed orders from major importing nations. The damage to China’s aquaculture sector caused by coronavirus could be far-reaching as customers from the US and elsewhere hold off on orders. Companies that specialise in sustainable aquaculture products look to be especially affected because they rely most on exports. Two major industry events have already been postponed: Seafood Expo North America, the largest such exhibition in the continent, was due to take place in Boston mid-March, and Seafood Expo Global was planned for Brussels in April. The damage to China’s aquaculture sector caused by coronavirus could be far-reaching as customers from the US and elsewhere hold off on orders. Companies that specialise in sustainable aquaculture products look to be especially affected because they rely most on exports. Two major industry events have already been postponed: Seafood Expo North America, the largest such exhibition in the continent, was due to take place in Boston mid-March, and Seafood Expo Global was planned for Brussels in April. Bangladesh’s polluting fish farms “Every year we get 40-50 per cent of our orders confirmed at that [first] exhibition,” Chen Sheng, general manager of the Maoming Evergreen Aquatic Product Co. Ltd. told China Dialogue. In 2019, almost 200 Chinese firms had a presence there, including all the major ones. He says that maintaining relationships and negotiating with customers has shifted online. The delay may offer China’s producers temporary relief from questions about safety and supply stability from over-anxious international buyers. But problems remain for producers of aquatic products such as tilapia – a freshwater fish originally from Africa – who rely heavily on overseas markets. Export problems With transportation cut off in China, public spaces closed and people forced to stay at home to contain the virus, there have been fewer domestic buyers for aquatic products and almost nobody eating at restaurants. By 11 March, a month and a half after the Wuhan lockdown, a survey of 55 major markets in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou showed aquatic sales had recovered to just about half of normal levels. The effects quickly trickled down from retailers to hatcheries, farms and processors – and eventually, as the coronavirus spread overseas, exporters. Japan, Korea, the EU and the US have been the main destinations for China’s aquatic exports for over a decade. “Currently, all exports to Korea are on hold, and exports to Japan, the EU and the US have fallen”, said Cui He, head of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance, in a 9 March article. China’s seafood exports are, he said “facing their biggest ever test”. One example of the gravity of the situation is Chinese tilapia, half of which is usually exported.

The European Commission’s (EC) inspection team has recently acknowledged improvements made by Việt Nam in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). In a letter sent to the Vietnamese Directorate of Fisheries, the EC’s inspection team recognised the country’s co-operation, transparency and honesty in providing and exchanging information during their time in Việt Nam. The team confirmed Việt Nam has made significant progress compared to the first inspection in May 2018 and is on the right track towards implementing the Fisheries Law and legal guiding documents. Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance of Fishing Vessels Việt Nam’s significant improvements in the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels have been noted, which was seen during on-site inspections at Tắc Cậu fishing port, the busiest fish market in Kiên Giang Province. The management process and organisation of fishing vessels and output through the port were carried out flexibly and effectively. Việt Nam has also made great efforts to install fishing vessel monitoring systems, provide regulations and implement gear marking fishing vessels based on the EC’s recommendations. Increased Management of Fishing Density The EC’s inspection team also acknowledged Việt Nam’s efforts in increasing management of fishing density through freezing offshore fishing fleets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a decision on assigning a quota of offshore fishing permits for 28 coastal provinces. Shortcomings However, some shortcomings were pointed out, such as the slow progress of installing cruise monitoring equipment on fishing vessels, incomplete surveillance systems with many technical errors, as well as limited and inconsistent sanctioning on violations among localities. There is also no evidence to prove competent authorities ensure sufficient and accurate traceability mechanisms in fishery processing plants. Yellow Card The EC also stated that they will not withdraw the yellow card if Việt Nam has not solved the problem of fishing in international waters. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phùng Đức Tiến said the EC assessed Việt Nam’s efforts not only for removing the yellow card but also for future fishery resources and sustainable fishing. Future Inspection The EC’s inspection team will return to Việt Nam to check on progress in the next six months. The country must submit a comprehensive report on the results of the recommendation implementation by May 15 next year. The team has suggested Việt Nam continue completing its legal framework and law enforcement’s implementing work, along with increasing monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels, seafood traceability and fishing certification. Improvements in Database of Fishing Vessels According to Nguyễn Thị Trang Nhung, deputy director of the DoF’s Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, the inspection team praised Việt Nam’s improvements in building a database of fishing vessels, updating information on fishing vessel licensing and planning for sustainable fishing vessel development. Previously, Việt Nam had no surveillance system at the port, but now it has been implemented as a model in Kiên Giang that has effectively controlled fishing vessels. Conclusion Việt Nam’s progress in combatting IUU fishing is a positive step forward towards sustainable fishing and protecting fishery resources. However, there are still areas where improvements are needed, such as traceability mechanisms in fishery processing plants and inconsistent sanctioning on violations among localities. The country must continue to complete its legal framework and law enforcement’s implementing work, along with increasing monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing vessels, seafood traceability and fishing certification.

The European Parliament (EP) has ratified the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on Wednesday. The ratification of these two agreements is a significant result for Việt Nam and the EU, who are comprehensive strategic partners. The agreement creates a sustainable foundation for both sides to improve quality in comprehensive cooperation, showing the EU’s trust in Việt Nam as a reliable partner in Southeast Asia and worldwide. EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is a lever for growth that opens up opportunities for Việt Nam to infiltrate a market with a gross domestic product of US$18 trillion. Under the agreement, nearly 100% of Việt Nam’s goods to the EU will see their import tariffs eliminated in the short term, the highest level of commitment that a partner has given to Việt Nam in signed free trade agreements. The EVFTA is expected to create a significant push for Việt Nam’s exports, helping diversify the country’s exports and markets. The agreement will cut 65% of import tax on EU commodities after the deal takes effect, and the rest will be erased over ten years. Meanwhile, the EU will cut more than 70% of tariffs on Việt Nam’s commodities after the deal takes effect, and the rest will be abolished over the next seven years. According to research by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two agreements will help Việt Nam increase its GDP by 4.6% and its exports to the EU by 42.7% by 2025. The European Commission has projected the EU’s GDP to increase by $29.5 billion and its exports to Việt Nam by 29% by 2035. The investment commitments will replace bilateral investment agreements between Việt Nam and EU members, helping the country continue to reform its economic structure, perfect business environment and institutions, and facilitate EU investors’ business in Việt Nam. ILO Welcomes EP’s EVFTA Ratification The International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Việt Nam welcomes the European Parliament’s ratification of the EVFTA in Paris, which is expected to bring economic benefits to both sides. ILO Vietnam Country Director Chang-Hee Lee said the deal’s requirements on labour and environment will help bring about benefits for all sides, help Việt Nam achieve sustainable development and ensure that the current growth is achieved at the expense of future generation’s opportunities. Việt Nam’s entry into the EVFTA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will make it easier for the country to modernise labour laws and industrial relations systems. The adoption of the revised Labour Code in November 2019 brought its legal framework closer to ILO fundamental conventions. Modern industrial relations based on recognition of freedom of association, together with a better skilled workforce and effective social protection, is a key social driver for Việt Nam to move towards an upper-middle-income country in a sustainable manner.

For many people in Asia, wet markets are simply places to buy fresh, affordable food. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become a source of controversy in Western countries. This article aims to clarify what wet markets are and why they have become a topic of discussion. What are Wet Markets? Wet markets are areas where vendors sell fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. The name “wet” comes from the practice of vendors washing vegetables or cleaning fish, which results in the floors getting wet. Wet markets are different from dry markets, which sell non-perishable goods. Why Have Wet Markets Become Controversial? Wet markets have become controversial due to their association with the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is believed to have originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, where wild animals were sold and slaughtered for food and medicine. The close proximity of live animals to humans in some wet markets can create unsanitary conditions that allow viruses to spread. In light of this, some have called for wet markets that sell live animals to be shut down immediately. The US’ top infectious disease specialist, Anthony Fauci, is among those who have made this call, citing the need to prevent the spread of future pandemics. However, not all wet markets sell live animals, and many in Asia are simply places to buy fresh produce. The Potential Risks of Wet Markets Experts warn that wet markets that sell live animals risk creating the types of dangerous conditions where viruses can spread from animals to humans. For example, the 2003 SARS epidemic was linked to the sale of civet cats in Guangdong province. Keeping rare or wild animals in close quarters can increase the risk of disease transmission. The Future of Wet Markets Wet markets are an important part of life in many countries, particularly in Asia. While some have called for their immediate closure due to their association with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider the impact such closures would have on local communities. Experts suggest that a more balanced approach is necessary, one that takes into account the potential risks of wet markets while also recognizing their importance in providing fresh, affordable food to many people.