US releases shrimp probe results

The US Department of Commerce (DoC) has announced preliminary results from the fourth administrative review on Vietnamese warmwater shrimp imported to the country from February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2010, says the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

According to DoC, 29 Vietnamese businesses shrimp exporters enjoyed duty at 2.89 percent, says VASEP, adding that the Minh Phu Corporation paid the highest duty at 3.27 percent while the Nha Trang Seafoods Company had the lowest duty at 2.5 percent.

The US Department also announced last month its fifth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty imposed on frozen warmwawter shrimp imported from India, Brazil, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

This was likely to be the final review of the duty, carried out in parallel with the five-year review announced in January which will examine details of US marine product import from 2004-2005.

VASE says although Vietnam earned US$1.67 billion from shrimp exports last year, 3 percent higher than 2008, its exports value to the US reduced by 15.4 percent to US$395 million. The association also says shrimp processors are now lacking raw materials for export contracts.

Ly Van Thuan, general secretary of the Ca Mau Province Seafood Exporters and Producers Association, says most of the 31 shrimp processors in the province are operating just 40 percent of the design capacity.

In the meantime, the area for shrimp farming in Bac Lieu province has downsized by almost a third last year, says the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

To resolve the problem, VASEP chairman Tran Thien Hai suggests that the provinces reschedule their farming plans to avoid the constant swing between overabundance and severe shortages of shrimp.

Besides, there should be a closer cooperation between processors, authorities and breeders to ensure outlet for their products and expand farming areas.

VOV

Tags: Vietnam Seafood, Vietnam seafood exports, Vietnam seafood sector, Vietnam shrimp exports