The Ministry of Fisheries has mapped out seafood export development plan for 2010 and 2020, with an average revenue growth rate of 9 per cent per year, at a seminar in HCMC on December 20.
Accordingly, the seafood sector will strive for some US$4-4.5 billion in export revenue in 2010 while addressing 6 market issues comprising raw material, seafood processing, foodstuff hygiene and safety, technology, fisheries promotion and training, and policy reform.
The area of aquaculture will be increased to 1.1 million hectares and output to nearly 2.1 million tons in 2010, from 980,000 ha and 1.5 million tons now.
Fisheries minister Ta Quang Ngoc said the export focus was set to shift to high-value rather than raw products under a long-term strategy approved by the government
The strategy calls on the processing industry to catch up with developed nations in terms of technology, to enable seafood to remain a major hard-currency earner.
Another key measure it lays out is restructuring production, focusing on large-scale aquaculture and setting up closer links between farmers, scientists, and regulators to ensure economies of scale, quality control, and hygiene.
Meanwhile, foreign participants at the seminar said more information about Vietnamese seafood products needed to be spread in global markets.
"Information is cheap and effective," international seafood expert Herby Neubacher, who works for HCM City-based Vietnam Food Promotion Company, adding that there were still buyers who buy Pangasius (basa) but do not know anything more about the fish except the price.
But Philippe Serene, director of EuroCham in HCMC emphasized sustainable development for Vietnamese seafood sector.
“Sustainable seafood is not only a choice, but also a trend,” he said, warning the over-exploiting of aquatic products affecting many fish species.
He also highlighted some negative environmental impacts of Mekong Delta seafood processing factories.
Vietnam’s total revenue from seafood export is estimated to reach in $3.2 million this year, 25.3 per cent of which coming from Japan, 21.6 per cent from the EU and 19.9 per cent from the US.
Vietnam’s seafood products have been available in 127 countries and territories worldwide, up some 20 markets compared with 2005, with Poland and Russia being new consumers with significant potential.
The sector aims to raise seafood export revenue to $3.5 billion, a moderate figure with the challenges facing it in the near time.
Minister Ta Quang Ngoc admitted that Vietnamese seafood sector is developing unsustainably.
“The sector is facing more and more market risks, including changes and stricter requirements in foodstuff hygiene and safety standards,” he said.
B.T
Vietnamese
