The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang hosted a ceremony on January 5 to mark the export of the first batch of shrimp this year. 

Delegates at the ceremony to mark the export of the first batch of shrimp this year.
Photo: Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper

The event was jointly held between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Hau Giang province People's Committee, and Minh Phu Seafood Joint Stock Company.

The shipment by Minh Phu Seafood Joint Stock Company contains 160 tonnes of frozen shrimp which are being exported to the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Upon addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien requested that local firms strengthen co-operation efforts to expand shrimp export markets.

Despite facing numerous difficulties caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic and natural disasters, last year saw the national seafood sector gross US$8.4 billion in export turnover, with total output reaching 8.4 million tonnes, therefore representing an increase of 1.8%.

Most notably, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation also shipped 22,400 tonnes of processed shrimp worth US$240 million to demanding markets, including the US, Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and Canada, thereby contributing to the sector’s overall revenue of US$580 million.

Moving into this year, Deputy Minister Tien has asked relevant units, localities, business communities, and shrimp farmers to regularly assess market developments in an effort to devise suitable production plans, diversify markets, and comply with the regulations implemented by foreign importers. This will serve to ensure origin traceability whilst increasing the proportion of value-added products and managing the quality of raw materials sources in an effective manner.

Dong Van Thanh, chairman of Hau Giang province’s People's Committee, described the export of the first batch of shrimp of the year as a positive sign, adding that it opens up bright prospects for aquatic exports ahead. Most notably, the recent enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) provides fresh impetus for the penetration of local shrimp into the demanding market due to substantial tariff reduction.