Australian businesses to research on Vietnam shrimp production chain

An Australian workgroup will visit Vietnam on February 26 - March 2 to do research on Vietnam’s shrimp production chain for export to the country, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The specialists will focus on seafood disease prevention and supervision, and quarantine licensing. They will visit labs responsible for testing diseases on exported shrimps, and shrimp farms in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces.

The Department has asked relevant agencies, including the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and seafood exporters to Australia to help businesses work with the Australian specialists.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, seafood has great potential to make inroad into the market with annual consumption demand for around 1 million tons. However, domestic production meets only 30% of its demand.

Currently, Vietnam is the fourth largest seafood supplier of Australia with 11% of market shares after Thailand, New Zealand, and China. Particularly, it is the biggest shrimp exporter to the market with more than 35% of market shares.

The Office strongly recommends that Vietnamese businesses should strictly observe Australia’s food hygiene and safety and biosafety regulations to enter the market.

Seafood exports hit a record high of US$8.3 billion last year, up nearly US$1 billion compared to the previous year.