Seafood exports expected to drop in 2009

Vietnam ’s export of seafood is expected to decrease by between 15 and 20% this year, with demand from the EU, the US and Japan forecast to register the sharpest fall of all.

According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), earnings from tiger pawn, an export staple, are anticipated to fall sharply as consumers, affected by the global economic downturn, turn to cheaper food.

The export of catfish, another main product, will also be affected, VASEP said.

VASEP Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Dung suggested seafood businesses pay more attention to improving their products’ quality, instead of quantity as in the previous year.

He pointed to the importance of meeting environmental standards in aquaculture, saying that this should be “the first thing to do.”

Vietnam currently ranks 12 th in the world in wild-caught output, third in farmed output and seventh in export value.

The country’s seafood export value has increased steadily from 1 billion USD in 2000 to 4.5 billion USD last year.

According to a deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the industry is vulnerable in the process of international integration, much remains to be done to ensure its sustainable development.

The official also cited unplanned production and poor technology as the sector’s major shortcomings that should be addressed. (VNA)