Promote trade promotion - Efforts to restore the growth momentum of seafood exports
Information on market developments, policy regulations, new requirements for the seafood industry and solutions to increase the export of this key product were discussed at the Trade Promotion Conference. with the system of overseas trade agencies in October 2023 organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Trade Promotion Department) this afternoon, October 31, 2023.
This conference was held with the theme "Accompanying the seafood industry to promote export promotion". Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai attended and spoke at the conference.
The conference attracted over 300 delegates from agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Trade Offices, Vietnam Trade Office Branches, Vietnam Trade Promotion Offices abroad, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Development Rural areas, industry associations, businesses and news and press agencies register to attend.
The conference took place in a combination of live and online methods, to create favorable conditions for a large number of delegates from overseas Vietnamese Trade Offices, relevant agencies and businesses from 63 provinces and cities nationwide. participating country.
Seafood export faces difficulties
At this conference, delegates focused on exchanging and updating information on the situation, developments, policy regulations, new requirements for imports into export markets, and market assessments. consumer preferences of the import market for the seafood industry; discuss and evaluate opportunities, difficulties, and challenges that seafood export enterprises are facing, and discuss solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles in the industry's export activities.
Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai emphasized that fisheries is one of the key economic sectors, playing an important role in the development of Vietnam's economy with an increasingly open scale. wide. The Vietnamese seafood brand is not only affirmed domestically but also welcomed by many countries around the world. To date, Vietnamese seafood products have been exported to more than 170 countries and territories, and the seafood export value in 2022 reached 11 billion USD for the first time.
However, according to statistical reports, from the end of 2022 until now, the overall picture of Vietnam's seafood exports is covered in dark colors when export turnover continuously decreases due to strong demand in main markets. in a state of "plunging". Seafood exports have declined recently due to pressure from both domestic and international macro factors. First, export prices of aquatic products at the beginning of this year tended to decrease. Competition in seafood prices in the international market makes it difficult for Vietnamese businesses to find orders, leading to price reductions. Next, the demand for imported seafood also decreased because importing countries had not yet consumed the large inventory of the previous year.
Signals of recovery for the last months of the year
However, some good signals from the world and domestic markets as well as increased consumption trends in main markets in the last months of the year are bringing prospects for export recovery in this industry. The good signal for seafood exports comes from the recovery of key markets due to increased demand during the year-end holidays for the industry's strong products such as tuna, shrimp, and pangasius.
A representative of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that in the first 9 months of this year, the country's seafood exports reached 6.6 billion USD, down 22.6% over the same period last year. In particular, exports decreased deeply in the first half of the year by 27%. From June onwards, negative growth gradually narrowed. In September alone, export sales were only 5% lower than the same period, so the total turnover in the third quarter was only 12% lower than the same period in 2022 and this is also the smallest decrease in 3 quarters this year. .
The level of recovery in seafood export sales in the coming time depends largely on two main markets: the US and China. Both of these markets have positive signals in terms of demand. Orders from these two markets are increasing again, but export prices are still lower than the same period last year.
Information about the export situation of this product to the US market, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - Commercial Counselor, Vietnam Trade Office in the US said that in the third quarter of 2023, seafood exports to the US decreased. decreased by 34%, however, compared to the first two quarters of the year, this number is still considered positive growth. On the other hand, compared to its competitors, the decline is still lower than other countries.
Regarding market prospects, Commercial Counselor Do Ngoc Hung said that currently, US inventories are decreasing, and large consumption demand for year-end holidays will be an opportunity for seafood exports. However, Mr. Do Ngoc Hung said, the challenge for seafood exports to the United States is that this market often applies strict technical barriers, regulations on quarantine, farming environment, and origin labels. strict commodity, protectionist policies; As for Vietnamese seafood enterprises, there are still limitations in branding and logistics services. Therefore, to promote exports to the United States, businesses need to thoroughly research the market, limit price competition, and strictly control the quality of shipments exported to the market; Regularly participate in seafood fairs; Aiming to produce deeply processed products; Pay attention, update trends, warn about items at risk of trade defense investigation as well as pay attention to packaging quality.
As for the EU market, Mr. Tran Ngoc Quan - Commercial Counselor, Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU said that the EU is promoting EU seafood so that people can choose to consume it with the criteria of quality and sustainability. sustainable and environmentally friendly. This may affect imported seafood, including seafood imported from Vietnam. In the remaining 3 months of 2023, it is forecast that the EU market will continue to grow in seafood imports but will not suddenly return to the same period in 2022. "Meaning, it is likely that Vietnam's seafood exports to the EU will continue to grow." 2023 will be equal or slightly reduced compared to 2022," Mr. Tran Ngoc Quan said.
The representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU also informed that in October 2023, the EU inspection team that came to Vietnam to work highly appreciated the Government's efforts in implementing measures to eliminate yellow cards. IUU but problems still arise. The EU has also studied Vietnam's seafood development program and made many recommendations to monitor fishing and aquaculture.
Quickly respond to market fluctuations
Based on the opinions exchanged by delegates, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai commented that although the picture of the fisheries industry in 2023 is improving, there are still many difficulties. These difficulties are expected to last from now until the end of the year and into 2024. "Therefore, the information given in today's Conference needs to be consulted by agencies, units, businesses and associations." , make the best use of your own activities" - Deputy Minister emphasized.
The Deputy Minister also suggested that Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad continue to be proactive, grasp and analyze policies and market needs to provide timely information to industry associations and businesses, and at the same time Advise the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure the interests of businesses. Domestically, units of the Ministry of Industry and Trade such as the Import-Export Department, Trade Defense... coordinate closely with the Trade Office system to promptly advise on building policies to respond to market fluctuations and adjust strategies. Production and export strategies are linked to the development orientation of businesses and localities. At the same time, the Department of Trade Promotion continues to strengthen coordination to promote market diversification activities to support businesses in boosting exports.
With the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Exporters, the Deputy Minister proposed to proactively guide and support businesses in adjusting production and business strategies. Build the unit's trade promotion activities to meet market needs, including green and sustainable development requirements. Proactively provide information from businesses to ministries and branches to develop and orient appropriate policies.
“On the business side, it is necessary to continue to comply with State regulations and ensure traceability. Enterprises and localities do well in related activities, contributing to promoting industry development in particular and the economy in general" - Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai emphasized.
In the past period, the Government has requested, drastically and closely directed ministries and branches to coordinate with localities and industry associations, especially the fisheries industry, to prioritize resources to implement many solutions. solutions to remove difficulties and restore production and business for enterprises in the industry. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been coordinating to synchronously deploy many trade promotion measures to support domestic production and business, diversify export markets, and continue to maintain and strengthen its position in existing markets. Free trade agreements, coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to support businesses in protecting their brands as well as responding to trade barriers and trade defense measures.
After this Conference, with the responsibility of being the agency performing state management functions on industry and trade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to fully synthesize the support needs and recommendations and proposals of localities. localities, associations, businesses, coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to focus on resolving issues within their authority or report to the Government and Prime Minister for consideration and direction to resolve issues within the Government's authority. , contributing to promoting the development of seafood production and export, supporting businesses in the industry to participate more deeply in the global value chain, compete fairly in international integration, and basically meet product needs. medicinal products for the domestic market and export development.
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Tác giả: Nguyễn Hường
Nguồn: moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/xuc-tien-thuong-mai/day-manh-xuc-tien-thuong-mai-no-luc-phuc-hoi-da-tang-truong-xuat-khau-thuy-san.html