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Russia OKs 39 catfish companies
Thirty-nine Vietnamese firms have been given the go-ahead to resume exporting tra catfish to Russia.
The move follows talks last month between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Russian partners after imports of Vietnamese seafood exports were blocked by Russia late last year over quality issues.
Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers deputy chairman Nguyen Huu Dung said exporters earned US$200-300 million a year from the market.
He said the resumption of exports would give the green flag to other export markets with concerns over VietNam’s food safety and hygiene, which included Spain, Italy and Egypt.
MARD Deputy Minister Luong Le Phuong said Russia had strict standards on food safety and hygiene.
Last year, Viet Nam’s seafood exports to Russia underwent a year-on-year increase of 83 per cent to reach $218 million, including $188.4 million from tra catfish exports, 109 per cent higher than in 2007.
Seafood exports to Russia are expected to reach $300-$400 million this year.
Vietnamese catfish export management board chief Duong Ngoc Minh said catfish exports to Russia would reach $180-200 million this year and were expected to grow strongly. Minh is general director of Hung Vuong Joint Stock Company
Firms to gain accreditation include the Ba Ria Vung Tau Seafood Export and Import Joint Stock Company, the Sai Gon Seafood Trading Joint Stock Company, Hung Vuong Seafood Joint Stock Company, Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company, QVD Dong Thap Ltd Co, Cafatex Seafood Joint Stock, An Giang Seafood Export and Import Joint Stock Company, Nam Viet Joint Stock Company and Kien Giang Seafood Joint Stock.
VietNamNet, VNS
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