Spiny lobsters are difficult to export to China but the reason is unclear

Harvesting farmed lobsters. (Photo: Tien Minh/VNA)

In response to the news that China has temporarily suspended the import of spiny lobsters (Panulirus ornatus), the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested localities to closely monitor market information to advise people on the choice of farming species: reduce spiny lobster farming, increase green lobster farming and harvest at the appropriate time.

At the same time, the organization builds a chain of quality, safe lobster products, ensuring traceability of origin.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development received feedback from a number of lobster exporting establishments and the Phu Yen Province Fisheries Association about China temporarily suspending the export of spiny lobsters.

To verify information and promptly remove related obstacles and facilitate the rapid export of live seafood from Vietnam to the Chinese market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development) sent a document to the Embassy and Trade Office of Vietnam in China (Official Dispatch No. 773/CCPT-ATTP dated September 11, 2023), to the Nanning Customs Department, General Administration of Customs of China (Official Dispatch No. 912/CCPT-ATTP dated September 28, 2023).

According to information from the Embassy and Trade Office of Vietnam in China, the General Administration of Customs of China has received the request from the Vietnamese side. However, the General Administration of Customs of China is currently busy and has not yet arranged to work according to the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

While waiting for the official response from the General Administration of Customs of China, in order to maintain development and minimize damage to lobster farmers, especially for spiny lobsters, the Department of Fisheries has sent a document to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of coastal provinces and centrally run cities that raise lobsters; and the Fisheries Association of provinces that raise lobsters about strengthening the management of lobster farming.

Accordingly, the Department of Fisheries requests the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of provinces/cities directly under the Central Government that raise lobsters to direct functional units to strictly implement the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on lobster breed management (QCVN 02-34-2: 2021/BNNPTNT; Document 6361/BNN-TY dated September 11, 2023) and the direction of the Department of Fisheries (Document 1087/TS-GTATS dated October 17, 2023 on strengthening management and quality control of lobster breeds; Document 613/TS-NTTS dated August 16, 2023 on strengthening management of aquaculture in the South Central Coast.

Units guide, propagate and mobilize farmers to register for cage farming according to Decree 26/2019/ND-CP dated March 8, 2019; organize reviews and arrange suitable cage farming according to the approved plan of the locality. At the same time, promptly advise the Provincial People's Committee to remove difficulties in "Confirming registration for cage and raft aquaculture/main aquaculture species."

Localities properly manage the quality of shrimp seeds and lobster disease prevention and control drugs. Organize inspections of the implementation of legal regulations in aquaculture, strictly handle violations and publicize the results of handling according to regulations.

The Aquaculture Research Institute III continues to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the provinces to promptly guide farmers on technical measures and support in handling technical problems (if any) during the farming process.

Localities send specialized staff to guide farmers on technical measures to manage farming areas; update complete information in the diary, and keep relevant records and documents to serve traceability when requested.

Vietnam Fisheries Association and Fisheries Associations of provinces/cities under the Central Government promptly inform members about the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on strengthening the management of lobster farming.

The Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development said that according to practice, in case China issues new regulations on food safety control and disease safety of imported aquatic products, it will send notices to trading partners, including Vietnam. However, to date, the Department has not received notice from the Chinese competent authority about these new regulations as well as notice of temporary suspension of import of live spiny lobsters from Vietnam.

Recently, China has diversified its lobster import sources from Canada, the US, New Zealand, Cuba, India, Brazil, Mexico... which could potentially affect Vietnam's shrimp demand./.

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