Processing shrimp for export in Ca Mau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

Shrimp exports to South Korea are likely to increase by 5 per cent this year due to steady demand, high export prices and tariff incentives under a bilateral free trade deal, the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers has said.

South Korea is the fifth largest importer of the crustacean from Viet Nam, and accounts for 10.7 per cent of the latter’s total exports.

Though not increasing sharply this year, exports to South Korea have been in positive territory since the beginning of the year. Shipments in the first seven months have been worth US$179 million, a 5.8 per cent increase year-on-year.

In the second quarter they were worth US$91.2 million, up 4.9 per cent, with white-legged shrimp and tiger prawn accounting for 83 per cent and 12.1 per cent.

Under the Viet Nam-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, Viet Nam is exempt from import tax on shrimp in South Korea up to 15,000 tonnes a year. Viet Nam only ships around 2,500 tonnes.

To utilise the opportunity, experts said shrimp exporters need to improve quality and remain abreast of South Korea’s procedures and requirements to overcome technical barriers.

Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of shrimp exporter Fimex Viet Nam, said local authorities need to call for investment in building shrimp farms of international quality, build irrigation and other infrastructure and enable high-quality shrimp production.

Companies must ensure quality and comply strictly with all the terms in their contracts such as delivery time and packaging design, he said.

In recent years Viet Nam has been the leading shrimp supplier to South Korea, accounting for 52 per cent of that country’s total imports.

The key export markets are Japan, the EU, South Korea, China, and the US.

According to VASEP, exports in the first five months of the year were up 2.3 per cent at $1.2 billion, with white leg shrimp and tiger prawn accounting for 69.5 per cent and 19.2 per cent. — VNS