Tra fish processed for exports (Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – The Middle East has recently been touted as apotential market for Vietnamese seafood exporters due to its rising demand forseafood products, high payment ability, and less strict product standards ascompared to the EU, the US and Japan.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers(VASEP), the region has high demand for agricultural products as local naturalconditions are unfavourable for agricultural production, especially seafood.
During 2007-2017, Vietnam earned average 300 million USD per year fromexporting seafood to the market. Seafood is one of the five largest exports ofVietnam to the Middle East. Notably, tra fish has won consumers’ favour andgained foothold in the market.
Vietnamese exporters said that besides tra fish, Vietnamese canned tuna hasample opportunities in the Middle East. Currently, canned tuna is subject to animport tariff of five percent in most countries in the region, except forLibya, Tunisia and Turkey, which is much lower than the level in the US and theEU. Meanwhile, import duties are exempted for frozen tuna fillets.
Although Thailand is the main tuna supplier for the Middle East, the region isseeking other providers which offer lower prices like Indonesia, thePhilippines and Vietnam.
As part of efforts to boost exports to the market, experts recommended domesticbusinesses gain deep understanding of the culture and society of Middle Easterncountries to develop products suitable for the market’s demands. Particularly,processed products must obtain Halal certification.
VASEP also drew exporters’ attention to branching out distributing channels,attending international seafood exhibitions, participating in trade promotionprogrammes and studying the market. At the same time, businesses are advised tobe prepared for potential risks like political instability in the MiddleEast.-VNA
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers(VASEP), the region has high demand for agricultural products as local naturalconditions are unfavourable for agricultural production, especially seafood.
During 2007-2017, Vietnam earned average 300 million USD per year fromexporting seafood to the market. Seafood is one of the five largest exports ofVietnam to the Middle East. Notably, tra fish has won consumers’ favour andgained foothold in the market.
Vietnamese exporters said that besides tra fish, Vietnamese canned tuna hasample opportunities in the Middle East. Currently, canned tuna is subject to animport tariff of five percent in most countries in the region, except forLibya, Tunisia and Turkey, which is much lower than the level in the US and theEU. Meanwhile, import duties are exempted for frozen tuna fillets.
Although Thailand is the main tuna supplier for the Middle East, the region isseeking other providers which offer lower prices like Indonesia, thePhilippines and Vietnam.
As part of efforts to boost exports to the market, experts recommended domesticbusinesses gain deep understanding of the culture and society of Middle Easterncountries to develop products suitable for the market’s demands. Particularly,processed products must obtain Halal certification.
VASEP also drew exporters’ attention to branching out distributing channels,attending international seafood exhibitions, participating in trade promotionprogrammes and studying the market. At the same time, businesses are advised tobe prepared for potential risks like political instability in the MiddleEast.-VNA
VNA
