EU to Inspect Vietnamese Seafood Firms

A delegate from European Union will arrive in Vietnam to inspect seafood quality in a number of processing companies from March 20 to 30, state media reported, citing Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Luong Le Phuong.

 

The deputy minister said the EU’s inspection aims to ensure that whether Vietnamese seafood processing and exporting companies fulfill commitments on quality set by the EU and Vietnam.

 

The inspection results are of great significance to the development of Vietnamese fishery sector because EU is seen as the biggest importer.

 

EU has so far allowed 301 Vietnamese companies to export seafood to the bloc, which may allow an additional 30 companies if they meet food safety and hygiene standards.

 

EU bloc imported 349,000 tons of seafood worth US$1.14 billion from Vietnam in 2008, up 26 per cent on year in value.

 

Vietnamese companies exported 61 seafood products to 26 countries out of 27 in the EU. Among them, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium were the biggest importers with revenues of US$206.35 million; US$157.28 million; US$156.16 million; US$140.78 million; and US$107.12 million, respectively. (Vietnam & World Economy)