China spends $21mn importing tra fish maws from Vietnam in January-August
China spends $21mn importing tra fish maws from Vietnam in January-August
China had imported US$21 million worth of tra fish maws from Vietnam as of the end of August, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Employees process tra fish at a plant in Vietnam. Photo: Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre |
Its purchase of the swim bladders represented 36 percent of Vietnam’s total tra fish maw exports during the January-August period.
The Southeast Asian nation shipped dried tra fish maws worth $58 million to other markets during the eight-month period.
China has beefed up the purchase of Vietnam's dried tra fish maws over the past two years as Mexico, one of the former’s largest swim bladder suppliers, has tightened control over fish maw exports and some fish species are facing a risk of extinction.
“Fish maw is not only a delicacy prized in China, but also a symbol of success, prosperity, and wealth in the country,” said VASEP.
“Therefore, the product is often used as a gift at important events in China."
The price of dried fish maws ranges from $450 to $1,000 per kilogram, with prices reaching as high as $7,700 per kilogram in Hong Kong, according to industry data.
Products from tra fish, particularly dried fish maws, are gaining popularity among international customers, the association reported.
In addition to Hong Kong, Vietnam’s key buyers of tra fish maws include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Do Thi Thanh Thuy, sales manager at Nam Viet Corporation, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the company is selling fresh tra fish maws to several firms. These buyers will dry the swim bladders before exporting them.
“Fish maw had previously been seen as a by-product, but it is now costly due to complicated processing steps,” she said.
Fresh fish maws are priced at over VND100,000 ($4.05) per kilogram, Thuy said.
“Fish maws are selling like hot cakes, sometimes we do not have enough fresh fish maws for buyers,” she noted.
The potential for Vietnam’s dried fish maw export remains huge, but the shortage of input materials is a big challenge, according to VASEP.
