Seafood is Ireland’s second largest food export to Vietnam, after dairy

Ireland exports an estimated €600 million worth of seafood to more than 50 countries around the world annually and Vietnam is now one of the fastest growing export markets for Irish shellfish exporters.

To explore the potential for cooperation in this sector between the two nations, a reporter from Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper (VAN) spoke with Ms. Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

How do you assess the potential for cooperation in the fisheries sector between Vietnam and Ireland?

On Ireland’s recent ministerial led trade mission to Vietnam, the travelling contingent met with Royal Seafood at the Royal Seafood Flagship Store and Restaurant at 46 Pham Van Nghi Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City to discuss export opportunities. Currently Vietnam are buying brown crab, whelk and blue lobster from Ireland.

The recent signing of the Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhanced co-operation between the governments of Ireland and Vietnam helps with trade relations. Underpinning them is the 2019 EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which provides a robust framework for the flow of trade, and enhanced interaction, in the years ahead.

The IVAP aims to support Vietnam to “transform” its agri-food system in the areas of sustainable primary production systems, food safety, innovation and quality.

For the past five years Irish seafood exporters supported by Bord Bia have focused on identifying opportunities for a range of Irish seafood in the Vietnamese market. This has been very successful to date with a wide range of Irish species now available in the foodservice and retail channels in Vietnam.

Bord Bia has supported this market development between Ireland and Vietnam through market research, lead generation projects, new customer promotions and organised visits to Ireland for Vietnamese importers and distributors giving them the opportunity to see first-hand how Irish seafood is caught and processed. Species such as Irish brown crab, whelks, mussels, langoustines and lobster are now available on the Vietnamese market supplied by Irish exporters.

Seafood is Ireland’s second largest food export to Vietnam (after dairy), and Royal Seafood were one of the pioneers of this business.

Which fisheries products may be in high demand in the Irish market?

The retail market in Ireland is valued at around €325 million accounting for about 20,000 tonnes of seafood. The foodservice market is valued at a further €190 million. Ireland imports substantial volumes of seafood annually and in 2023 alone, imported €370 million worth of seafood to supply the Irish market. The top two selling species in Ireland at retail level are salmon and cod.

Could you share some opportunities and challenges may face when exporting fisheries products to Ireland?

A possible barrier are the campaigns run via Irish state agencies such as Bord Bia to help promote consumption of Irish landed species such as Irish whitefish, shellfish and salmon. National campaigns are run regularly to encourage Irish consumers to choose local species when available.

What cooperation programs between the two countries can promote fisheries trade in the future?

In 2023, Irish seafood exports to Vietnam totalled over €4 million. This represents more than a 100% increase in export values since 2019. The main species exported from Ireland to Vietnam are pelagic (for re-processing), shellfish and value-added seafood. Ireland will continue to focus its efforts on developing its seafood export business to Vietnam where local consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the quality, variety and sustainability credentials of Irish seafood.

The IVAP and MOU also assist with trade relationships between Ireland and Vietnam, ensuring sustainable production practices and food safety to assist in the transformation of Vietnam’s agri-food system.

How is Ireland's fisheries sector currently developing? What can Vietnam learn from Ireland's experience in managing and developing the fisheries sector?

Irish waters are the most important fish spawning and nursery areas in the North Atlantic. The young fish hatched there grow up healthy in their natural cradle in the waters around Ireland. In order to bequeath this precious natural seafood to future generations, quotas and seasons are set each year for each species of fish, and Irish fishermen adhere strictly to these quotas and seasons.

Many of those involved in the fishing industry also participate in “Origin Green”, a national food sustainability program run by Bord Bia. Through this program, those involved in the food chain, from fishing to processing, packaging, and transportation logistics, receive full government support to manage marine resources, protect the environment, and promote sustainable fishing practices. With such powerful credentials, it can be no surprise that Irish seafood is in increasing demand around the world.

Two of the major seafood exports from Ireland to Vietnam are Irish brown crab and Irish whelks and both species are now widely available through the retail and foodservice channels. Other species recently introduced include Irish mussels, lobster and frozen at sea langoustines. Bord Bia works in close partnership with Vietnamese importers, distributors and retailers on a series of marketing and promotions to help raise awareness in Vietnam about the quality, range and sustainability credentials of seafood from Ireland.

Looking forward to 2025, Irish seafood exporters will continue to innovate and add value to the raw material supplies available from the Irish catching sector in order to remain competitive and to achieve a point of difference in the marketplace. They will work closely with Irish fishermen to maintain high quality and sustainability standards to ensure that only the best of the Irish catch is supplied to our international customers globally. Ireland exports an estimated €600 million worth of seafood to more than 50 countries around the world annually and Vietnam is now one of the fastest growing export markets for Irish shellfish exporters.

What advice do you have for Vietnamese enterprises wishing to expand their trade activities with Ireland in the fisheries sector?

Find a local processing partner that has good distribution into the Irish market. Meet Irish seafood processors (who both export and import) at international seafood shows such as SEG Barcelona. This is a great way to connect with Irish processors.

Research the market well to understand the competitive set and price points for the different seafood categories.

Consistency of supply is important especially for the retail sector.

Thank you very much!