Expo promotes seafood exports, domestic consumption

Delegates cut the ribbon to open VIETFISH 2024 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City on August 21. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The VIETFISH International Seafood Exhibition that opened in HCM City on August 21 provides a forum for businesses to network and explore business opportunities, update themselves on the latest trends in the industry and underline Việt Nam’s seafood quality and global status.

Organised by the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the only international seafood exhibition in Southeast Asia has brought together over 280 leading processing and exporting companies from 16 countries and territories.

It features 496 booths displaying frozen, fresh, canned, and dried seafood, fish sauce and technology, equipment and clean energy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyễn Thị Thu Sắc, the association chairwoman, said the scale and professionalism of VIETFISH have steadily improved over the past 25 years, meeting the needs of both domestic and international enterprises.

It has become a significant annual event, bringing top Vietnamese seafood producers and processors together with international partners.

“Việt Nam is recognised as one of the leading nations in the global seafood industry. We are the world’s third largest seafood exporter with over 7 per cent of the global market share, trailing only China and Norway.

“Despite the global economic challenges in 2023 – sluggish growth, high inflation, tightening monetary policies, rising public debt, and ongoing conflicts – Việt Nam’s seafood exports nearly reached US$9 billion, a commendable achievement that reflects the industry's tremendous efforts.”

Phùng Đức Tiến, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said seafood industry is one of the key industries in Việt Nam, making a substantial contribution to the domestic economy.

Its export increased by 7.3 per cent in the first seven months of the year to $5.29 billion, or 55.7 per cent of the whole-year plan, he said.

Sắc said amid the country’s deeper global integration, the seafood sector has great opportunity for growth, but also faces significant challenges in export markets and with internal issues.

“Amid these challenges, VIETFISH 2024 aims to … be a convergence of industry excellence and connecting businesses across the supply chain for comprehensive development. It will offer a broader view of Vietnamese seafood, showcasing our increasingly diverse products that meet global standards in quality, traceability and sustainability.

“It is not just a business exchange platform but a comprehensive campaign to promote Việt Nam’s seafood industry, taking our products closer to global consumers.”

She highlighted the vast potential of the domestic market, noting that seafood enterprises are gradually expanding at home, bringing export-quality products to Vietnamese consumers and reduce reliance on exports.

To support this effort, the expo has a dedicated area for the domestic market where consumers can check out products that meet international standards, sell at reasonable prices and and are exported to over 170 countries around the world, she added.

A number of specialised seminars will be held during the event.

The exhibition being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre until August 23 hopes to attract 17,000 visitors.