“To creat a new image for Vietnam’s Tra fish”

In late 2013, VASEP and the port of Zeebrugge (Belgium) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Vietnam’s Tra fish distribution center in the EU market through the port. So far, how has this project been going on?

After the signing of the MoU, the port authorities had internal discussions, while making  survey and working with Tra fish exporting businesses and VASEP to evaluate and make next steps. Such construction of the Tra fish distribution center is on the theory, but in practice it needs to reorganize distribution and sales systems in Europe on the existing basis. Therefore, careful steps are necessary for this project as well as for both VASEP and the port.

Many experts operating in  the fisheries sector consider this project as a solution to overcome the situation of falling price and low quality of export Tra fish recently… What do you think about this?

Maybe this is one of the solutions to gradually regain the trademark for Vietnam’s Tra fish industry when it is meeting with difficulties in the EU market. However, as I said above, the re-establishment of a new system for distribution, sales and marketing requires a great effort and determination from the Vietnamese side when we have exported to the EU through a number of different channels for each separate market, without mentioning different qualities of products for every segment in accordance with importers’ requests. Therefore, VASEP agreed to do a testing program named “Pangassius fillet Premium Quality” to bring a new image for Vietnam’s Tra fish in the face of  the quality crisis of Tra fish in the EU. The program is expected to be implemented with voluntary participation of Tra fish businesses that export their products to the EU. Depending on the production condition and customers’ requirements, the businesses will give initiatives to make their production and market share more appropriate. Belgium also agreed with the VASEP’s proposal and will make surveys and research following this direction.

Many businesses support the idea; however, most businesses are still wondering how to distribute the products – Photo: Le Cong Han

How do businesses react to this project?

Many businesses support the idea; however, most businesses are still wondering how to distribute the products and cooperate with one another. General speaking, there are many things to translate ideas into reality, especially when we have been following recent methods to ensure stable export to the EU, so we will face difficulties in changing to bring goods to a distribution centre. However, it is believed that with a small amount of Tra fish export to the EU as the above-mentioned pillot project is implemented, we can attract attention from many enterprises.

What will businesses benefit as a Tra fish distribution center and auction are established  in the EU?

Both Vietnam and the Port have agreed to implement the program “fillet Pangassius Premium Quality” to gradually adjust and learn from experience before starting a big project: the Tra fish distribution center in the EU. If the program is successful, it will be an opportunity and motivation for us to reorganize the EU market, create trust with importers and consumers, thus creating a new image for Vietnam’s Tra fish in the market.