Vietnamese seafood to |
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Exports to China have surged sharply over the past 5 years, and shrimp exports have made a significant contribution to the common growth. The proportion of shrimp among total seafood exports to China rose from 13% in 2003 to 64% in 2011, 60% in 2012 and 66.6% in 2013.
Despite the global shrinking market, exports of key products to China have grown and flourished over the years, with shrimp rising 38.2%, Tra fish 23%, and octopus 4%. China is the fourth largest consumer of shrimp and the fifth of octopus from Vietnam .
Vietnamese businesses say the primary difficulty in trading with China is in the negotiation stage as the Chinese often bargain a lot and the final price is often the same as the starting price without much dickering.
Since 2012, China has required all foreign seafood businesses to register information with Chinese authorities if they want to penetrate this market. For instance, Vietnamese seafood businesses have to register information with the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA).
Decliningmarket share
According to VASEP, cumbersome customs procedures are the biggest obstacle to Vietnamese seafood businesses. Meanwhile, Chinese customs procedures at the border gates are often unpredictable. For instance, China is ready to impose 100% of import tariffs on goods shipped through the Beilun border gate, but cut in half the levels through waterway transport.
Combating illegal trading poses yet another inherent risk facing Vietnamese businesses in the sector.
Retail traders often purchase unprocessed seafood products, especially shrimp and octopus, and transport them to China illegally, causing shortages of materials for domestic processors, negatively affecting contracts signed with partners.
By doing so, it is difficult to control the level of antibiotic residue on shrimp and other seafood products, badly tarnishing the reputation of Vietnamese seafood and more importantly creating imbalance in the seafood sector’s export structure.
VOV