Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) quote the source Fis.com as saying that Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Physio-sanitary Surveillance (VPSS) has extended the list of prohibited seafood exporters from Asia to this market.

The prohibited order was applied to Japanese seafood exporters on May 1 and extended its effectiveness  to Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Korea and China on June 1. According to the Trade Newsletter of Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Aquaculture (MAPA) on June 21, several seafood exporters from Vietnam were also prohibited from exporting to Russia for their failure in meeting hygiene requirements.

 So far, VPSS experts have only examined seafood processing establishments of 25 Vietnamese enterprises of which, 15 has been recognized to meet Russian requirements to export seafood into their market. According to statistics from Russian customs, seafood import to Russia in 2006 amounted to  980.000 tonnes worth US$1,1 billion.

This move from Russia will definitely affect the exports of Vietnam in next 2 months. In response to the information that Russia may consider extending prohibition orders, many seafood exporters have started necessary preparation to deal with examination from this country. Statistical figure from Russian customs showed that seafood import into this market has doubled in April 2007 to reach 131.2 million $US.

 
According to Trade Newsletter issued by MAPA ,the fillet seafood processing industry of Russia may be frozen in this September as Vietnam is now the sole supplier of materials (tra, basa fish and surimi) for this industry. In 2006, Vietnam export 12,000 tonnes of seafood, worth US$15.4 million  to Russia.

 
Prior to that, in response to the information that Russia has refused exports from 4 Vietnamese companies, Vice Head of National Fisheries Quality and Veterinary Directorate (Nafiqaved) Tran Bich Nga confirmed that the consignment detained for bacteria infection examination only. Before the final findings released, these 4 companies have to halt exporting to Russia mraket.

Under the new regulations, as of the fourth quarter of 2006, all seafood items to be exported to Russia must go through the inspection of VPSS. Vietnamese companies must have certificates of food hygiene granted by VPSS to be eligible to export seafood to Russia.