The Chinese market is open to shrimp and fish exports

DNHN - With measures to relax anti-epidemic rules, the Chinese market is steadily regaining consumption and is a viable destination for Vietnamese seafood from now until the end of the year.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp shipments to the Chinese market climbed by 32 per cent, or roughly 58 million USD, in June, following robust three-digit growth of 125 per cent to 140 per cent from March to May. Shrimp exports to this market increased by 84 per cent in the first half of this year, reaching approximately $333 million. From now through the end of the year, this market is expected to have strong consumer demand.

The overall export value of pangasius to the China - Hong Kong market reached 427.6 million USD in the first six months of 2022, increasing 107 per cent from the same period last year. Previously, China's Zero Covid policy "made it tough" for imported fish goods during the first four months of this year, including Ecuador, India, Vietnam, Russia, Norway, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which are the country's key suppliers.

According to VASEP, China has lately reopened, and several laws for Covid-19 prevention have been eased. After nearly two years of implementation, China has lifted the restriction prohibiting the import of frozen food tainted with the Sars-COV-2 virus.

This is also good news for China's shrimp and pangasius suppliers, notably Vietnam. This is expected to boost Vietnam's frozen shrimp and pangasius shipments to this market in the latter quarters of the year.

Mr Nguyen Nhu Tiep, director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Control Department (Nafiqad), stated that by adjusting the aforementioned laws, Vietnamese seafood exporters will find it easier to ship in the second half of 2022.

As a result, with Covid-19-infected cargoes, firms will not be barred from exporting as previously, and export activities will not be hampered. Chinese Customs will join Nafiqad in monitoring quality and food safety by conducting online inspections of firms' manufacturing processes.

Currently, Nafiqad is requesting that the Chinese side provide an official document rather than simply sending it through this country's embassy in Vietnam.

PV