Vietnam, Russian promote cooperation in seafood export

Hanoi, Aug 15 (VNA) - A delegation of Russian experts is on a working visit to Vietnam to study the production conditions and quality control of seafood for export to Russia , according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

During the visit, running from August 12-18, the experts from Russia 's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (VPSS) will inspect the production conditions in businesses permitted to export products to Russia in Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Can Tho province.

They will also examine measures taken by Vietnamese relevant agencies and businesses' to overcome the shortcomings relating to previous batches of seafood warned by VPSS.

The two sides will together examine the analysis methods and results of tests conducted by the Vietnamese side, and compare them with Russia 's regulations on food quality and safety.

The VPSS inspection delegation on August 13 worked with the National Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Administration Directorate of Vietnam (Nafiqad) on issues relating to Russia 's import of Vietnamese seafood.

According to VASEP, with tra and basa catfish being its export staples, Vietnam is currently Russia 's fourth biggest seafood supplier, after Norway , China and Denmark .

In the first seven months of this year, Vietnam fetched about 90 million USD from seafood exports to Russia , a 35 percent year-on-year increase.

VASEP has asked Vietnamese businesses to promote the export of fish fillet, dry seafood and white-leg shrimp to Russia.-Enditem