A representative of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers said that over the past 9 months Vietnam earned 6.6 billion USD from seafood exports, down 22% from last year. But positive signals from world and domestic markets and increased demand during the last months of the year are making recovery look more likely.

Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, said the removal of the IUU yellow card is important for Vietnam's exports and the development of the seafood industry.

“Most foreign markets set high requirements in food safety, quality, and especially the tracing of origin. The EU's imposition of the yellow card is a warning,” said Hai.

“As other markets can impose similar measures like the EU, it’s necessary for Vietnam to work harder to get the yellow card removed. This is a sustainable direction to increase seafood exports,” said Hai.

Vietnam’s Trade Counselor in Belgium and in the EU Tran Ngoc Quan said that after a visit to Vietnam in October, the inspection team of the European Commission spoke highly of the Vietnamese government’s efforts and determination to have the yellow card removed.

But there are still certain on-site problems. If Vietnam shows signs of correcting wrongdoings within the next 6 months, the EC will consider removing the yellow card before the EU parliament votes.