Tra fish export to US increases despite anti-dumping measures

Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Despite high anti-dumping tariff imposed by the US, Vietnam exported to the market 108 million USD worth of Tra fish products between January and April, up 26 percent from the same period last year.

Tra fish processing in Bien Dong Company (Source: VNA)

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the sum accounted for 17 percent of the total value of the country’s Tra fish exports in the four months, which were close to 600 million USD, an annual increase of 18 percent. 

The rise is partly attributable to increases of 5,000-6,000 VND in domestic material prices of Tra fish compared to last year, pushing up export prices during the period.

VASEP predicted Tra fish export to the US in the second quarter to increase slightly against last year, but the number of exporters remains under 3. It said anti-dumping tariff and inspection are two main reasons that prevent many businesses from exporting to the market. 

Apart from the US, Tra fish exports to China, ASEAN region, and Colombia were also forecast to be on the rise in the coming time.

On March 20, 2018, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the final results of the 13th administrative review (POR 13) of anti-dumping duties on frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016, slapping unprecedentedly high rates of up to 3.87 USD per kg. 

Vietnam and China are currently the only two suppliers of Tra fish for the US, with Vietnamese Tra fish making up 90 percent of its total imports of the product.