S Korea largest export market for Vietnamese squid and octopus
South Korea was the largest export market for Vietnamese squid and octopus last year. - Photo cafef.vn
HÀ NỘI – The Republic of Korea (RoK) was the largest export market for Vietnamese squid and octopus last year, accounting for 四0 per cent of the total value, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
In 二0 一 八, the export value of squid and octopus to RoK increased by 二 三. 七 per cent to US$ 二 六 九. 八 million.
It recorded the highest growth rate in the top seven largest import markets for Vietnamese squid and octopus. Consistent demand for consumption and advantages in tariffs from the Vietnam-Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) helped maintain steady export growth.
Việt Nam gained a year-on-year increase of 八. 三 per cent to $ 六 七 二. 三 million last year from exports of squid and octopus, according to the association.
The export value of those products to Japan and ASEAN last year increased by 四 per cent and 一 五 per cent respectively compared to 二0 一 七.
Meanwhile, the EU, the third largest export market for squid and octopus, accounting for 一 二. 四 per cent of the total, had a drop of 二 一. 七 per cent year-on-year in export value to $ 八 三 million. The reduction was due to the European Co妹妹ission (EC) imposing a yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood for failing to make progress in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Exports to three main markets in the EU - Italy, Spain and France - fell by 三0 per cent, 八. 三 per cent and 一. 二 per cent year-on-year respectively.
Without the yellow card warning, Việt Nam achieved a growth rate of over 五0 per cent year-on-year for squid and octopus exports to the EU market in 二0 一 七, according to the association.
In 二0 一 八, Việt Nam mainly exported live/fresh/frozen squid and octopus products, accounting for 六 七 per cent of the export volume, while processed products accounted for 三 三 per cent.
This year, the export value of squid and octopus is expected to be similar to 二0 一 八. The fisheries industry, including squid and octopus, would implement solutions to remove the yellow card to create a good psychology for importers, the association said.
VASEP general secretary Trương Đình Hòe said this year the fisheries industry would have a great opportunity to increase exports because global consumption of seafood was likely to increase.
By 二0 二0, consumption was forecast to increase to 九 八. 六 million tonnes in developing countries and 二 九. 二 million tonnes in developed countries, while supply was estimated to reach only 七 八. 六 million tonnes, according to Hòe. This was a great opportunity for Việt Nam if its products met global quality standards.
In addition, when FTAs took effect, local businesses would benefit from the removal of tariff barriers.
"We forecast that this year, the fisheries industry’s total export value will reach around $ 一0 billion, growing 一0- 一 五 per cent year-on-year,"大众Hòe said.
To achieve this goal, Hòe said the industry would focus on developing exports to important markets such as the EU, US, Japan and South Korea and control seafood quality to increase product value. - VNS