VASEP urges strict quality control for tra fish exports to China

Ho Chi Minh City – The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has urged domestic enterprises to maintain strict quality control of aquatic products exported to China amid the recently accelerated growth of tra fish exports to this market.

A tra (catfish) processing line of Indian Ocean Company Ltd., in the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Mại

The association advised enterprises to adhere to regulations on product origin, food safety and use of seafood export certificates in processing and exporting aquatic products in general and tra and basa fish in particular.  

VASEP is committed to working with relevant ministries and agencies to uncover and punish fraudulent trade, thus maintaining the prestige of Việt Nam’s tra and basa products towards sustainable export to China and other markets.

Earlier, the association reported on the situation of tra exports to China to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade and asked them to tighten quality control of tra fish products exported to China through border trade.

China has emerged as a big market for Việt Nam’s seafood in general and tra fish in particular, with a growth rate averaging 21-31 per cent a year over the past five years.

In the first five months of 2018, tra fish export to China earned the country US$203 million, up 48.6 per cent year on year, accounting for 25.5 per cent of the total export revenue from this product.

However, a lack of quality control on the Chinese side for tra fish products imported through border trade may have negative effects on the prestige of Việt Nam’s tra fish. Therefore, a proactive approach in this matter will help prevent such impacts on the tra fish industry, VASEP said.

On May 31, the Chinese Ministry of Finance announced an import tax reduction for 221 aquatic products from member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Tariffs on tra fish fillets and fresh and frozen tra fish were cut from 10 per cent to 7 per cent, and from 12 per cent to 7 per cent, respectively, from July 1.

The move is expected to help lift tra fish exports through official channels.