Standard pangasius exported to EU be distributed in Vietnamese northern provinces

On October 06, the first crates of pangasius produced upon the EU’s standards arrived at Hanoi capital for distribution to northern provinces.

This event was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in association with An Viet Group JSC, a food distributor in Hanoi, and Nam Viet Company, a processing company of exported pangasius in An Giang).

In the event, Đào Ngọc Nam, chairman of the board of An Viet Group said that after surveying and evaluating the potential of pangasius consumption in the northern market, the Group has been cooperating with Nam Viet Company to make this work.

The survey was also conducted in Nam Viet Company and showed that its organization and production is really modern and strict. It is a pangasius exporter that meets multiple requirements of the EU and US.

In Nam’s opinion, An Viet Group has distributed food to many institutes such as canteens, schools, industrial zones and sold food in e-commercial channels and  food supply chains to northern prefectures.

An Viet Group set a target of selling a container of 25 tons of pangasius a week and will increase when the demand grows and a consumption system is set up.

According to Nam, pangasius has been destined for exports, thus high quality pangasius has not been enjoyed by domestic customers,

Pangasius processors have not kept their eyes on the domestic market, especially the north, thus they have not produced any pangasius products that suit the taste and liking of local consumers.

Thus, when introducing processed pangasius products to the northern market, not only does Nam Viet select high quality and diversified products (equal to exported ones) but they were advised to adjust pangasius products to northern consumers’ liking such as reducing sweet and bitter taste and adding spices.

Besides, An Viet consulted its partner to diversify products so as to suit consumers of all ages. Thus, according to a survey, the first crates of pangasius consumed in the north were highly evaluated by customers and retailers.

Deputy Minister Phùng Đức Tiến said that in the next few months, more pangasius processing companies will be encouraged to connect with distributors in the north to boost the market expansion. An Viet has just signed a sales contract of nearly 1,000 tons of pangasius with Nam Viet and will continue to raise this number in the future.

Besides exploiting the domestic market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are working with associations, sectors and companies to penetrate into further pangasius markets, especially in Russia.

There have been some sales contracts with Russia partners exporting around 300 thousand tons per year starting from 2021.

Box: Assistant Professor and Doctor Lê Bạch Mai, former Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition said that pangasius is a nutritious fish and healthy and energetic food. Every 100g of pangasius fillet provides around 83 kcal and consists of 17% of protein and omega 3 and omega 6.