Dried squids unsalable as Chinese traders change buying method

Earlier, consumption of dried purple-back squids was mainly through small traders and private exporters who bought dried purple-back squids and exported to China via cross-border trade. However, recently, China has unexpectedly switched import method from cross-border trade to official import. This requires origin traceability so dried squids cannot be exported. Although fishermen lowered their prices due to difficulties in consumption, traders still have not bought dried purple-back squids.

The change in import method has sent fishermen in Nui Thanh District into misery. Dried purple-back squids inventory has risen to around 930 tons, of which around 800 tons are on fishermen’s boats and 130 tons are in warehouses of traders.

There are 61 squid fishing boats with nearly 2,000 laborers in Nui Thanh District. Each boat catches an average 20-30 tons of dried squids per sea voyage.

Mr. Ngo Tan, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Nam Province, said that China regulated that goods imported to the country must be through official import, of which, export dried purple-back squids of Vietnam must be traceable and labelled clearly.

The department has ordered aquatic department to count the amount of dried purple-back squids that has not been exported in order to collaborate with the Department of Industry and Trade to advise the People’s Committee of Quang Nam Province to propose the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to deal with requirements of China for dried purple-back squid products, said Mr. Ngo Tan.