At this time, Vietnamese seafood products are exported to over 185 countries and territories, including big markets. In 2018, Vietnam's seafood export turnover reached almost US$ 9 billion. Especially in the past 10 years, the regional and international integration of country’s seafood is very, including active participation of industries, associations and large enterprises. Shrimp is one of the most powerful products today. Vietnam shrimp has exported to 65 markets, of which the EU is Vietnam's largest shrimp market, then the US and Japan, South Korea, China, Canada, Hong Kong, ASEAN, etc. Shrimp exports in 2018 reached more than 300 thousand tons, bringing export value of over US$ 3.35 billion, accounting for 40.1% of seafood export value. The average consumption of seafood per person in the world is 22.3 kg / person / year, increasing by over 0.5 kg compared to 2017. Forecast of seafood consumption continues to increase and consumers will prefer to use fresh, shelled seafood or instant seafood.
Vietnam's seafood export is also taking advantages in the context of many Free Trade Agreements going into effective. As the CPTPP Agreement came into effect from January 14, 2019, Vietnam became one of the seven countries implementing this agreement. Accordingly, it brings tariff opportunities for Vietnamese seafood products because members of the CPTPP commit to eliminate 97-100% of import tariff lines with products imported from Vietnam. Another agreement, EVFTA with Europe, also has a tariff line of 0% in the next 4 years, or the VJEPA agreement with Japan also committed to eliminate 64/330 tariff lines to 0% and 28 tariff lines for black tiger shrimp and processed crab (accounted for 71% of exports) downed to 0%.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also predicts some difficulties such as the world economy still has many uncertainties, especially the trade conflicts of big markets, predicted global economic growth was moderate, trade tension in big markets affects the world economy and reduce the growth prospects of these countries, etc.
In connecting the export market, it is important to provide information for different markets. For example, domestic market requires information about products and consumer demand so that seller and buyer can meet each other. At the same time, it must orient domestic consumer to increase consumption of seafood in daily meals.
On the other hand, international markets aim to support improvements that can bring sustainable benefits for farmers, but very few businesses can open its production scale. According to Josh Madeira, the forthcoming Clean and Sustainable Shrimp Alliance in Vietnam will offer a new approach that can accelerate improvements in a measurable and transparent way. This has created the interest of some US buyers who want to see results that can meet customer expectations. “To meet some traditional market’s requirements and expectations in some emerging international markets, the Vietnamese shrimp industry must focus on improving quality, changing farming habits and creating transparency through supply chain, especially more proactive for technology application”, he added.
Huong Tra