Fishermen from Binh Dinh Province's Hoai Nhon District handle tuna. Binh Dinh is the first province in Viet Nam to use special technology and skills to supply fish to Japan. — VNA/VNS Photo Dinh Hue

BINH DINH (Biz Hub) — The first batch of 10 tuna has been exported to Japan following a deal between Binh Dinh fishery joint stock company (Bidifisco) and its Japanese partner, the Kato Company.

Bidifisco director Cao Thi Kim Lan told Viet Nam News yesterday that it was the first tuna caught in central Binh Dinh Province under Japanese standards. The fish will be processed into sashimi (thinly sliced fish or meat).

"Our fishing fleet caught 37 tunas a few days ago. However, only 10 out of the best were selected after being assessed by our Japanese partners as soon as boats docked at Quy Nhon port yesterday morning," Lan said.

"The export batch, weighing 448 kg, has been delivered by air from Binh Dinh's Phu Cat Airport to HCM City before being sent to Japan to join a tuna auction at Osaka wholesale market," she said.

She added the final price at the tuna auction would be announced as soon as the market closed.

She hoped the price of the batch could reach the best price at about US$10 per kilo at auction.

In an agreement covering three years, Kato company will provide experts to select the best quality tuna from fishermen in Binh Dinh and put it up for sale at the Osaka market, one of the biggest tuna markets in Japan.

Binh Dinh is the first province in Viet Nam to use special technology and skills for supply fish to Japan.

The deal will promote quality and increase export values by supplying the best quality tuna.

The central province produces between 180,000 to 200,000 tonnes of fish a year, of which 10,000 tonnes is tuna.

The province has begun a pilot tuna fishing project with five boats using updated technology to catch, conserve and transport the fish.

Bidifisco is the biggest tuna export company in the province. It exports 8,000 tonnes annually to Japan, US and European markets. — VNS