“ASC certification will help Vietnam export-driven pangasius industry regain lost market shares in the global market” said Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Directorate of Fishery (D-Fish) at the ceremony.
“The efforts and achievements by Vietnam pangasius enterprises, government agencies and organizations in moving towards ASC accreditation and certification also contribute to improving the image of Vietnam pangasius on the international scene”, he said.
“ASC label offers opportunity for Vietnamese operators to strengthen their business abroad”.
So far this year, Vietnam pangasius industry has reached its 2012 goals. Local fish producers can produce ASC-granted fish products, which made up 10 percent of national production.
The country is striving to farm all fish in compliance with responsible aquaculture standards by 2015, in which ASC-labelled fish represented 50 percent.
The ASC certification guarantees that fish is farmed in a sustainable and responsible manner, limiting maximally impacts on the environment, farm staff and surrounding communities.
Chris Ninnes, ASC’s CEO granted a ceremony award to six pangasius companies firstly certified by ASC, including Hung Vuong Corporation, Vinh Hoan Corporation, NTACO Corporation, Hoang Long Seafoods, Vinh Quang Fisheries Corporation and Anvifish.
“With ASC-labeled fish products, Vietnam pangasius companies can develop business abroad and assure consumers that they are buying responsibly farmed products,” said Duong Ngoc Minh, Chairman and General Director of Hung Vuong Corp.
ASC certification is currently known in the EU countries, but it is not popular in other markets like the U.S. Therefore, WWF and relevant organizations needs to launch more advertising campaigns to promote ASC-labeled pangasius products.
This occasion, some Vietnamese companies signed contracts to supply pangasius products with ASC label to foreign importers.
VASEP-News
VIETNAMESE SHRIMPS
