Tra fish exporters ordered to monitor quality of shipments to China

Tra fish is being processed at an enterprise in the Mekong Delta - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

Ho Chi Minh City - With tra fish exports to neighboring China increasing in recent times, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has asked member businesses to strictly monitor the quality of their shipments to China to minimize trade risks.

The association has told exporters to follow rules on origin tracking, food safety and export certificates. In addition, businesses are recommended to maintain the best quality of shipments, including exports of tra and basa fish, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

VASEP has pledged to coordinate with the related agencies to deal with trade frauds and protect Vietnamese fish brands, thus sustaining exports to China and other markets.

VASEP had earlier sent a document to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to report on surging exports to China, suggesting strict surveillance of the quality of tra fish exports, especially through border trade. Meanwhile, related forces in the two countries are cooperating to check seafood shipments at the border.

China is among the potential markets for Vietnamese seafood, particularly tra fish. Over the past five years, Vietnam’s tra fish exports to the neighboring country have increased sharply, with annual growth rates ranging between 21% and 31%.

From January to May this year, local firms earned US$203 million from tra fish exports to China, up by 48.6% year-on-year

However, local exporters continue to face many challenges. As the Chinese government has yet to monitor the quality of tra fish shipments at its border, some low-quality Vietnamese products may impact the reputation of the local tra fish sector.