 A tra fish assembly line (Illustrative photo) |
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that seafood exports from January to July earned a record 6.7 billion USD, 35% above the same period last year. Seafood exports are expected to surpass the 10 billion USD mark for the first time this year, up 12 to 15% above last year. By 2025 seafood export earnings could reach 12.5 billion USD, with growth in most major markets.
The Directorate of Fisheries said seafood processing has grown strongly in the 2018 – 2022 period. Seafood processing factories have installed advanced processing assembly lines. More than 800 processing establishments are qualified to export, including 700 establishments licensed to export to the EU.
Strict implementation of regulations has made Vietnamese seafood preferred in 200 countries. Vietnamese laws on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are comprehensive, which is highly appreciated by the EU.
Nguyen Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries, said: “The seafood sector has cooperated with ministries and sectors in managing seafood resources, improving production, processing, and export, and contributing to the overall growth and development of the sector.”
Vice Chairman of VASEP Nguyen Hoai Nam said breeding sources account for about 70% of the raw materials for export processing. It’s necessary to invest in technology to improve the quality of farming output and expand farming areas in order to increase material supply for processing.
“Investing in fishing infrastructure will create a value chain. We recommend improving the licensing process for seafood exploitation and digitalizing certificate applications at the local level,” Mr. Nam said.
Vietnamese seafood brands are popular in many countries, but a strategic orientation is needed for the sector’s development in each period. Despite COVID-19 and an unstable global market, Vietnam’s seafood sector’s achievements suggest there will be more breakthroughs in the future.