According to the information available Vietnamese seafood exporters have asked the government to minimize the import tariff on seafood materials to zero percent in order to help domestic processors. Figures from the General Department of Customs says that in the last three years, Vietnam imported 140,000-150,000 tonnes of seafood of different kinds each year, 96 percent of which was frozen seafood destined for domestic processing.
Seafood processing companies said that they have been facing a lot of difficulties in importing seafood materials. Under the current regulations, stipulated in the four documents promulgated by relevant ministries, those companies which need to import seafood materials, have to show to relevant agencies many kinds of documents, including health certificates.
Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers VASEP, states that Vietnamese seafood companies are in tough situation and very badly need to import seafood materials for domestic production, because current domestic sources cannot provide enough seafood. Since the beginning of the year, domestic seafood factories have been operating with just 40-60 percent of the designed capacity due to the shortage of materials.
VASEP has requested the Government to slash the import tariff to zero percent, the tax levels which are being applied in many countries in the region. Besides, the association has also asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant agencies to create the most favourable conditions for the seafood material import by easing administration procedures.
But agriculture experts have warned that if the tariff is reduced to zero, it will prompt seafood processors to focus on importing materials while ignoring domestic sources. This would hinder the sustainable development of the fishing industry, and will spoil the plans on developing aquaculture areas.
