EU import restrictions push Khanh Hoa Tuna price down

HA NOI — Fishermen in Khanh Hoa Province are facing difficulties after the price of tuna dropped by almost VND30,000 (US$1.7) per kilo.

The drop has been linked to a slump in orders from seafood exporters after the introduction of new regulations on seafood imports in the European Union on January 1.

According to the EU’s law on "illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing", exporters must provide certified proof of origin and the scientific identification documentation for all seafood species.

Tran Van Dat, chairman of the Khanh Hoa’s Hon Ro Tuna Association, said that several tuna boats returned with fresh catches but hardly anyone came to buy.

"Only one company came. Previously we sold it for VND135-138,000 ($7.7) per kilo, but now we can sell it for only VND110,000 ($6) and it’s still out of season," said Dat.

Explaining the hesitation among seafood exporters to purchase tuna, a representative of Khanh Hoa Seafood Exporting Company said: "We are not sure how the regulation will affect us."

Dat said each fishing trip usually took about 35 days and cost between VND130-150 million ($7,200-8,300). "Each trip we get about one to two tonnes of tuna but with the current price, we’ll certainly suffer losses," he added.

To prepare for the implementation of the new EU restrictions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has opened training workshops for fishermen.

Le Van Hi, owner of a fishing boat in Nha Trang, said even though the restrictions came into effect on January 1, he and other fishermen were trained as late as January 5.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said: "Fishermen are not used to this process but the regulation is now in effect and they will have to follow it. This process should help control national seafood sources and reduce illegal resource exploitation," Tam added.

The EU is Viet Nam’s biggest seafood export market, accounting for 30 per cent of total export value. In 2009, seafood exports reached $4,21 billion. Over the first 11 months of 2009, tuna exports totalled over $161 million. — VNS