China is canceling strict Covid-19 prevention import procedures. Inspection and quarantine are no longer required for arrival goods. This is an excellent opportunity for Vietnam's exports, especially seafood, to penetrate this enormous market.

 

Accordingly, officials in Hubei province will immediately stop testing nucleic acids for "cold chain foods" at slaughterhouses, processing, storage and transport plants. The Hubei government said that the decision to relax import measures must be in accordance with the central government's directives. The local food import control task force in Changzhou said it would immediately close down "centrally regulated cold storage". Meanwhile, at the port of Shanghai, some specific imported meat and seafood products must continue to be controlled by testing for the virus. The port will suspend 50% inspection on arrival and 100% on imports from Canada for other seafood and meat.

 

The new changes in import policy are good news for Chinese seafood importers as the cost of imports will be significantly reduced. Previously, Chinese importers had to bear the cost of testing per container that could exceed 10,000 yuan ($1,430). In addition, easing pandemic prevention policies will also shorten the time to wait for customs clearance due to many uncertainties about orders being refused during this period.

 

China's seafood consumption will recover as it grows and is expected to be fully back to normal before the Spring Festival on January 22, 2023. In addition, seafood consumption in China is expected to return to normal before the Lunar New Year, as most seafood is consumed at restaurants and hotels.

 

The easing of policies, including eliminating inspection and sterilization for imported food, will ease pressure on importers and processors and benefit cash flow. Therefore, both re-export processing enterprises and direct importers will receive many new orders.

 

The easing of pandemic control for Chinese imports will create significant opportunities for Vietnamese goods, especially seafood, to enter this market.

 

According to VASEP, China and Hong Kong are Vietnam's most significant seafood consumers, with an increase of more than 70% this year compared to the same period last year. Therefore, this market is assessed as potential in the context of the world economy entering a recession and the decline in consumption in some traditional markets such as the EU and the US.

 

According to Mr Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of VASEP, in the 10 months of 2022 alone, despite applying the Zero Covid policy, the country imported US $ fifteen billion of seafood products, higher than the whole year of 2021. This shows the demand. China's seafood demand is increasing, and businesses need to invest efforts in this market shortly.

 

Mr Truong Dinh Hoe said that with the current advantage, in the coming time, it is necessary to have special measures to market to the Chinese market more effectively. It prioritizes setting up a direct selling agency for Vietnamese people. First, however, it is necessary to consider which location is suitable for implementation.

 

Source: Customs News