Seafood exports to China are expected to increase this year

The potential market

Speaking at the online forum "Promoting trade in agricultural products, seafood and aquatic products between Vietnam and China" held recently, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Processing and Exporting Vietnam Seafood Exporter (VASEP) said that, in the 2018 - 2022 period, the seafood trade between Vietnam and China has grown most in the main markets. From the 3rd position, China has risen to become the 2nd largest seafood import market of Vietnam after the United States.

According to Mr. Nam, from 2018-2022, Vietnam's seafood products exported to China the most include pangasius, shrimp, fish of all kinds (anchovies, salmon, fish cakes, beef fish), squid, octopus, crabs, and crustaceans. In which, pangasius is the most imported product by China, accounting for 40-50%. Shrimp is the second most imported product, accounting for 33-38%.

Shrimp export growth to China was higher than that of pangasius, mainly white leg shrimp and lobster. Fish of all kinds accounted for 10-16%, increasing more than 2 times after 5 years. Squid and octopus account for 2-5%, mainly dried, dried and frozen squid. In particular, crabs and other crustaceans increased 16 times after 5 years, increasing sharply in the last 3 years.

The top 7 products most imported by China include shrimp, crab, salmon, squid, pollock, cod, and pangasius. In which, shrimp is imported the most into China accounting for 24% of the volume, and 41% of the value of China's total seafood imports. Frozen seafood products accounted for 93% of the volume and 89% of the import value.

From those potentials and advantages, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam proposed that the Vietnamese side should strengthen trade promotion and trade between businesses and Chinese localities.

“At the same time, it is also necessary to support and accelerate the approval process for enterprises registering to export seafood to China. In particular, agencies need to update and provide information on the needs and regulations of the Chinese market and localities for Vietnamese businesses," said Mr. Nam.

Note to register for an extension of export to China

Regarding the situation of exporting and registering seafood enterprises for export to China, the representative of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) informed and registered to export products. Seafood is fully implemented on the Single Window Trade System (CIFER) of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Establishments registering to export live aquatic products such as tiger shrimp, vannamei shrimp, live crabs and lobsters need to be appraised and certified by the management agency to ensure food safety conditions according to China and Vietnam's regulations. Farming and packaging establishments need to be inspected and certified by the local agro-forestry-fishery management agency for food safety and veterinary hygiene conditions and granted a code.

A representative of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development also mentioned some difficulties, obstacles and notes in the registration of seafood exports to China. Accordingly, the processing and approval of registration documents on CIFER and approval of additional registration documents for raw seafood packaging facilities of the Chinese side are often slow. The Chinese side is also slow to respond to the Vietnamese side's application for additional product registration.

Some enterprises have not arranged resources to implement the registration on CIFER, especially the registration renewal. Within 3-6 months before the registration deadline expires, enterprises must submit an application for registration renewal on CIFER.

Therefore, enterprises urgently apply for extension in accordance with GACC regulations so as not to affect export activities and limit  trade bottlenecks.

Businesses also need to note that if they want to export seafood to China, they must be on the list of 805 enterprises that have been granted by China. If not, the business must supplement the dossier and wait for the license. Currently, China has issued 128 product codes related to seafood; when exporting, enterprises carefully check documents, especially HS code to ensure compatibility before customs clearance.