VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has recently lowered the tra fish export target this year to US$1.35 billion after the U.S. imposed anti-dumping tariffs up to 130% on fish products shipped stateside.

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In the latest announcement, the ministry has adjusted the forecast of tra fish export turnover from August’s US$1.38 billion to only US$ 1.35 billion. This revision, explained the ministry, is due to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s announcement in late September to impose new anti-dumping tariffs on tra fish imported from Vietnam.

In its sixth antidumping duty preliminary administrative review on certain fish fillets from Vietnam, DOC selected the Philippines as a surrogate country to calculate the anti-dumping tariffs, so five Vietnamese exporters might be slapped prohibitive tariffs of over 100%.

DOC preliminarily determined the dumping margin for fish imports from Vinh Hoan, Agifish, ESS LLC and South Vina was US$4.2 per kg, and the remaining firm, Vinh Quang, US$2.44, during the review period from August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009.

One of the troubled exporters said that though they have to wait until next March for the final determination, exports to the U.S. dropped immediately right after the announcement as they fear that any exports in large amount in the mean time will result badly.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) on Tuesday said Vietnamese tra fish exporters would have another two weeks until October 26 to complete required documents and papers related to the export turnover and related data to the U.S.

Nguyen Ngo Vi Tam, deputy general director of Vinh Hoan Co., an exporter that accounts for 40% of Vietnamese tra fish exported to the U.S. last year and in the first six months of this year, said the company was quickly completing the requirements

“Vinh Hoan in collaboration with Vasep’s attorney is on the race against the time on completing data and document to file to DOC,” she said.

Tam also mentioned that the company in the meantime planned shifting the market share to European countries, Brazil, South Africa, or Mexico to lessen the impact from the antidumping tariffs.

VietNamNet/SGT