Seafood Exports Up 11% in the First Five Months
Vietnam’s seafood exports have been gradually recovering and maintaining positive growth momentum over the past five months, recording an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year.
In the first five months of the year, seafood export turnover reached more than USD 4.6 billion, up 11% year-on-year. Both key export products, shrimp and pangasius, achieved positive growth. This reflects the seafood industry's efforts to maintain aquaculture and fishing activities while ensuring stable production volumes and high product quality.
Regarding market developments, while demand recovery in the United States and the European Union remains slow, China has emerged as the most significant growth driver, contributing more than 70% of the industry's incremental growth in recent months. Thanks to the application of advanced aquaculture technologies, export recovery, and market expansion, Vietnam’s seafood industry continues to maintain growth momentum and is aiming to surpass USD 12 billion in export value.
Ensuring Transparency in Seafood Exports
Despite these positive signals, Vietnam’s seafood industry continues to face challenges arising from import control regulations and measures against illegal fishing imposed by the United States and the European Union.
Transparency in seafood traceability is not only a market requirement but also a crucial solution for enhancing the value of the seafood sector. In An Giang Province, various measures are being implemented decisively to address these challenges.
During peak seasons, processing plants purchase between 30 and 40 tons of seafood daily. Although raw material shortages persist, companies remain committed to rejecting illegally sourced seafood.
Mr. Nguyen Nam Vinh, Deputy Director of Huy Nam Company, stated:
“In addition to controlling food safety and product quality, we must also verify the documentation of each shipment and all related records. Most importantly, every shipment must comply with anti-IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) regulations.”
Mr. Le Huu Toan, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang Province, shared:
“We established an inspection task force involving the provincial police, tax authorities, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Environment, and other relevant agencies. We have conducted comprehensive inspections of 16 enterprises and have not detected any violations related to exports to the European market. This is an encouraging sign of compliance among businesses.”
An Giang currently has the largest fishing fleet in Vietnam, with approximately 10,000 fishing vessels. To combat illegal fishing, the province continues to implement synchronized and rigorous measures to detect and prevent violations related to the harvesting, trading, and transportation of illegally sourced seafood directly at sea.
Colonel Nguyen Van Hiep, Political Commissar of the An Giang Border Guard Command, commented:
“We continuously strengthen patrol, inspection, management, and monitoring activities for fishing vessels operating at sea. Port entry and departure procedures are strictly controlled, and vessels that do not meet legal requirements are not allowed to operate.”
Mr. Ho Van Mung, Chairman of the People’s Committee of An Giang Province, emphasized:
“We are applying the strictest enforcement measures available under the law, including both administrative penalties and criminal prosecution where appropriate.”
Each year, An Giang’s marine catch exceeds 430,000 tons. Strict compliance with fishing regulations and ensuring product traceability are among the key measures being pursued by the province to enhance the credibility and reputation of both local seafood products and Vietnam’s seafood industry as a whole.