Difficulties in tra fish exports to the US

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Fisheries being processed for export. Photo: T.H

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, in the first half of August 2019, tra fish exports to the US reached US$175.9 million, down by 38.7% compared to the same period last year. Overall, tra fish exports sharply declined in the first seven months of the year.

According to statistics from the US Department of Commerce, in the first 5 months of 2019, US catfish imports decreased from all suppliers, including Vietnam, China, Thailand and Guyana. But the US imported tra fish from two new suppliers – Spain and Taiwan. In particular, Vietnam still accounted for 91.6-96 percent of total US imports of tra fish and basa fish.

According to the International Trade Center (ITC), the US imported US$417 million of frozen tilapia fillets from China in 2018. However, from May 10, 2019, when the US officially raised the tax rate for seafood products imported from China from 10 percent to 25 percent, Chinese tilapia exports have slowed down.

This is also the largest competitive item with Vietnam’s tra fish in the US. According to the US Department of Commerce, by the end of June 2019, the US’ imports of China's frozen tilapia decreased by 13 percent in volume and 16 percent in value over the same period last year.

However, in contrast to VASEP's prediction, when businesses expected that the decrease of Chinese tilapia market share in the US would create opportunities for Vietnam’s tra fish in this market. In the second quarter of 2019, Vietnam's tra fish exports to the US also dropped sharply by nearly 42 percent over the same period last year.

Moreover, according to ITC, in the first five months of this year, the US reduced imports of white meat fish, which were not only Chinese tilapia but also Vietnamese tra fish. In contrast, this country increased imports of white meat fish from Norway, Iceland, Canada, Chile and even increased imports from Russia.

In the second quarter of 2019, Vietnamese tra fish enterprises mainly exported frozen tra fish filets and cut tra fish to the US with prices from US$1.01-5.54 per kg.

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With the current export situation, it is predicted that in the last two quarters of 2019, tra fish exports to the US market will continue to decline. Trade and technical barriers continue to hinder Vietnamese businesses in accessing this market.