The European Union (EU) market was the largest export market of Vietnamese shrimp in the first quarter of this year, according to Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

In the first quarter, the export value of shrimp from Viet Nam to the EU gained a year-on-year increase of 20.2 per cent to US$742.9 million, including $302.4 million in March, up 25.8 per cent compared to March 2017.

Therefore, the EU maintained its position as the largest market for Vietnamese shrimp products, accounting for 18.2 per cent of Viet Nam’s total shrimp export value in the first quarter.

The association said the EU was considered as the "most dynamic" market for Vietnamese shrimp in 2017. In 2018, the shrimp export to this market has maintained an upward trend.

Viet Nam has gained by exporting shrimp to the EU, because India, Viet Nam’s big competitor in the EU market, has faced difficulties in exporting shrimp to the EU market as a result of antibiotic residue testing. India has also faced the risk of banning shrimp exports to the EU, reported Cong thuong newspaper.

In addition, Vietnamese shrimp is more affordable than its competitors’ products and has the advantage of gaining the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) from the EU that Thailand and China do not have.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said in the time to come, Viet Nam’s shrimp exports to the EU would see more advantages, once the European Union-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement, which is in the preparation phase, takes effect. As committed, after the agreement comes into effect, Vietnamese goods, including shrimp products, will enjoy special preferential tariffs.

However, to promote shrimp exports to the EU in the future, experts said enterprises still need to pay special attention to quality, food safety and origin of raw materials. We are importing shrimps from India for processing, exporting to other markets. Meanwhile, shrimp export to the EU is under strict control of antibiotic residue. Therefore, Vietnamese shrimp exporters should pay more attention to the source of raw materials while exporting to the EU.

The association said Viet Nam’s shrimp export in the second quarter is expected to continue to increase due to an adequate supply of raw materials for processing plants and a stable demand in the world market. — VNS