Seafood processors join forces

Seafood associations representing four leading shrimp producers of the world plan to co-operate on developing the industry to offset falling profits due to the global economic downturn, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP, the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Association (CAPPMA), the Thai Shrimp Association (TSA) and the Indonesian Shrimp Board of Commodity (ISBC) have announced their multilateral co-operation agreements.

The agreement includes measures to maintain and develop a healthy shrimp industry in Viet Nam, China, Thailand and Indonesia, which produce 80 per cent of the world's farmed shrimp.

These measures include establishing regular information exchange channels to facilitate effective communication and to work together to reduce or eliminate trade tariffs and technical barriers, including sharing the latest technologies in shrimp farming and processing.

Their statement said the four associations would take responsibility for sharing information and maintaining a black list of international companies that engage in questionable or illegal business practices in order to discourage dealings with such companies.

The four associations would work to improve the processing and management of shrimp, increase the variety of products, expand domestic markets and increase diversification of the market to boost demand, the statement said.

In addition, the associations would encourage enterprises to strive to reach international certifications.

The four associations also plan to establish a global shrimp industry alliance and will invite other main producers such as Ecuador, India, Mexico, Brazil and Bangladesh to join the alliance.

Despite higher production in the leading shrimp export nations, VASEP said profits had not increased proportionately due to higher production costs, reduced domestic and international demand and falling price.

The global shrimp market is expected to decline further due to the global financial crisis, VASEP said.

vietnamnet, vietnamnews

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