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Seafood exports back in high gear
All seafood exporters will begin selling catfish products into the Russian market from next month following the lifting of a ban based on health and quality issues.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said initially 30 Vietnamese processors of tra and basa catfish gaining accreditation from the Russians to export their products from now.
The accreditation followed talks with Russia after imports of Vietnamese seafood were stopped in December.
Before the ban there were 38 Vietnamese firms licensed to export seafood to Russia.
Since then, the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service has inspected and selected Vietnamese exporters that meet food hygiene and safety requirements and have already signed contracts to get exports moving again.
The surveillance service has been invited to open an office in Viet Nam and the ministry has set up a committee to manage quality, price, volume and quota distribution of catfish exports.
The move is a strategy to manage sustainable growth in the industry.
Experts predict Russian seafood consumption per head could double from 7-12.5kg this year to 16kg per annum in 2013. Imported seafood products now accounts for 70 per cent of the market in Russia.
Statistics show Viet Nam seafood exports to Russia were valued at US$200 million last year. The figure is expected to increase to $300-$400 million this year.
VietNamNet/VNS
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