Vietnam should boost domestic consumption of aquatic products: Official

Processing frozen aquatic products in Binh Dinh Fishery JSC (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Businesses should pay more attention to bolster consumption of aquatic products in the domestic market as it holds great potential, said Nguyen Quoc Toan, acting head of the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, on October 8.

The official made the statement during a seminar on the development of domestic market for aquatic products held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, held in Hanoi.

Through the event, experts are encouraged to put forward solutions to bolster domestic aquatic product processing and consumption in the coming time.

It also offers chances for businesses to adjust production methods to serve the domestic market comprising of 97 million people, the official noted. 

Aquatic product consumption by Vietnamese people sees an increase each year, standing at 31kg per person in 2017, Toan said, adding that the figure could rise to 35kg in 2020. The country also welcomes more than 13 million foreign tourists annually, who also have a special taste for the products.

Vietnam is home to various aquatic product processing firms and facilities. In addition to the 600 facilities processing the products for export, there are 4,000 small- and medium-sized ones and processing villages which turn out over 540,000 tonnes of products worth more than 20 trillion VND (856.55 million USD) each year and provide jobs for about 40,000 labourers.

Domestic consumption has helped stabilise production when exports face difficulties in global market, he added.

Toan also underlined the significance of origin-tracing stamps, saying that products with such stamps record huge consumption.

To boost domestic consumption, it is necessary to revise, supplement and replace inappropriate policies, as well as to add new policies to attract more investors and link production and consumption chains.

The Agro Processing and Market Development Authority stressed the need to increase checks on food hygiene and standards, as well as applying quality management system for operation of processing facilities.

Furthermore, localities should bolster trade promotion activities so that products of traditional villages could reach major markets. They are also advised to effectively monitor product quality and invest in new technologies and equipment.