
Aquatic product shipments have showed signs of recovery since the endof 2023, and are likely to rebound in 2024, especially in the second half. Exportsof key aquatic products, namely shrimp and tra fish, are expected to recover following asetback last year.
TheVietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has forecastthat shrimp exports will grow 10-15% from 2023, with prices increasing in thesecond half when inflation pressures cool down and importers’ inventories fall.
In the meantime, the tra fish sector targets to earn 2 billion USD fromshipping 1.7 million tonnes abroad.
However, escalating tensions in the Red Sea have driven up sea freight costs,fueling products’ prices which could affect consumers’ purchasing decisions.
VASEP Deputy General Secretary Nguyen Hoai Nam said that local firms hope toget updated on the Red Sea situation so as to pen rational business and productionplans, and receive support from shipping companies who are an important link inthe global trade activities.
Furthermore, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the US will be affected in the firsthalf of this year as the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) in October 2023filed trade petitions seeking anti-subsidy duties on imported frozen shrimpfrom Vietnam, Ecuador, India and Indonesia.
VASEP has recommended Vietnamese exporters to study the US’s anti-subsidyprocedures, keep a close watch on the situation, and closely work with theVASEP and the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam.
Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment lowered its target for aquatic product export value for 2024 to 9.5 billionUSD from its previous expectation of 10 billion USD due to global headwinds./.