The Republic of Korea (RoK) is an important and massive potential market for the fisheries sector as the country consumes about 7,300 tonnes of shrimps from Vietnam every year, confirmed Deputy Permanent Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) Nguyen Huu Dung.

According to fisheries experts, the RoK’s output of seafood has constantly dropped over recent years, while its demand for seafood has increased. Therefore there are many opportunities for Vietnamese seafood exporters to penetrate this market even further.

RoK consumers are keen on shrimps, shellfish, pangasius fish and crabs.

VASEP plans to work with the Korean Fisheries Trade Association (KFTA) to exchange information, expand the market and study the RoK’s demands. They also both agreed to inform each other about any uncertified products.

The National Agro-forestry and Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (Nafiqad) has asked all seafood export and processing enterprises to regularly update and follow the regulations set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as RoK agencies.

The National Fisheries Products Quality Inspection Service in the RoK has also revealed its adjustments to quality standards affecting seafood imported into the country