Vietnamese clams take the stage at the 2022 Global Seafood Expo

Participation in the 2022 Global Seafood Expo is part of the trade promotion and market development efforts of the "Inclusive and Sustainable Clam and Bamboo Value Chain Development in Vietnam" project (2018-2022), which is being implemented by Oxfam Vietnam in collaboration with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, under the auspices of European Union (EU). 

Three of Vietnam's leading seafood companies, Go Dang Seafood Joint Stock Company (GODACO), Ben Tre Fisheries Joint Stock Company (BESEACO), and Ben Tre Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company (AQUATEX), participated in the exhibition.

One of the spotlights of the events was the pavilion showcasing Vietnamese clams in Hall 4B501, which was boldly designed and drew significant attention from a number of clam importers and distributors.

Following two days of participation on April 28, the Vietnamese pavilion exhibiting clams drew the attention of 100 importers and distributors seeking business opportunities. Among the partners are Spain, Italy, France, the United States, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Egypt, Israel, the Czech Republic, and Denmark.

Some European consumers expressed surprise and delight that Vietnamese firms such as GODACO, AQUATEX, and BESEACO are able to sell clams and seafood directly to the EU market since they had been purchasing Vietnamese clams through intermediate companies for the previous two decades. As a result, foreign partners recognized this as an excellent chance to interact directly with Vietnamese seafood producers in the heart of Europe.

A number of commercial agreements were reached during the event, paving the way for Vietnamese clams to be exported to the European market in the near future, following extended days of struggle due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Clams in the coastal areas of three Vietnamese provinces, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Tien Giang, have a significant competitive edge in terms of reputation and quality; clams in Ben Tre, in particular, have been awarded international certification by MSC.

At the present, clam meat produced in these provinces is widely praised for its flavor, nutrition, white flesh, and thick flesh, and is a popular commodity in a number of important international markets.

Europe is now the major export market for Vietnamese clams, accounting for more than 70% of total shipments, followed by the United States, Singapore, and Japan.