Vietnam increases cooperation in fisheries with Norway

In order to share experiences in aquaculture, processing and exporting seafood, on March 21, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processors and Exporters in collaboration with the Norwegian Seafood Council organized an international workshop "Opportunities in the seafood market - future prospects".

Processing tra fish for export at Tien River Seafood Factory (Dong Thap). Photo: VNA

Norway is currently one of the world's largest seafood exporters. Salmon is the main product of the Norwegian seafood industry, with export turnover holding the number one position in the world.

Norway also holds nearly 78% of the salmon food market share in Vietnam. With the ability to meet food safety standards, fast transportation and delivery, and good market operations, the Vietnamese seafood industry can learn many lessons in the development process.

According to Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries, from the management and development of Norwegian salmon trade, Vietnam will learn a lot in developing the pangasius industry, from the establishment of the fisheries council, the way of doing business, development resources, farming, processing... Because, although salmon and pangasius have different values, the rapid growth, supply-demand conflicts, internal competition and anti-dumping lawsuits... happening to Vietnamese pangasius today are similar to the salmon farming industry in Norway in the past. Therefore, if the Vietnamese pangasius industry can learn from Norway's experience, overcome shortcomings to build a sustainable chain, there will be a very fundamental change in this industry.

Mr. Amund Dronen Ringdal, Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Fisheries of Norway, said: "In the current period, technology is a prerequisite for aquaculture activities. Through this workshop, we hope to create a dialogue channel so that both sides can share difficulties and advantages in the cooperation process. This is also an opportunity for seafood businesses of the two countries to exchange and share experiences, thereby creating green and clean seafood products for consumers."

Currently, the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation (NORAD) is funding Vietnam for the project “Improving the value of pangasius production and trade – learning from Norway’s experience.”

Hopefully, from the Norwegian salmon development model, pangasius in particular and the Vietnamese seafood industry will overcome difficulties, make new progress and stand firm in the world export market.

According to Vietnam+