Establishment of “VASEP Sustainability Certification Advisory Council”

On May 19th, 2021, at the webinar and Sustainability certification: win-win cooperation for effective application and organized by VASEP, the Association has announced the decision to establish the VASEP Sustainability Certifications Advisory Council (VASEP CERACO) with a list of council members, operating regulations and annual action plan of 2021. VASEP CERACO Council will support VASEP member businesses to apply well and conveniently international sustainability certifications.

Vietnam is the third largest seafood exporter in the world. Seafood export turnover increased from 1.8 billion USD in 2000 to 8.8 billion USD in 2018, and according to Vietnam and seafood development strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, the export value will reach 14-16 billion USD by 2030. Of which, aquaculture products contribute the majority of over 60-65% and this share will certainly continue to increase in the future.

Vietnam and seafood products (mainly shrimp and pangasius) have been exported to more than 160 markets around the world and are holding a certain position in fastidious markets such as the US, Japan, the EU, Korea, and Australia…

However, with the increase in seafood production and exports, the import markets are also increasingly demanding requirements, standards and certifications to control and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

In the past time, VASEP Association has conducted a survey and synthesized opinions of member enterprises related to some shortcomings and difficulties in some procedures and criteria when implementing ASC certification standards. The Association is also receiving active coordination from the ASC Organization regarding the recommendations that have been collected and compiled.

Determining this is an important and meaningful activity, today on May 19, 2021, at the webinar and Sustainability certifications: win-win cooperation for effective application and organized by VASEP, the Association has announced the decision to establish the VASEP Sustainability Certifications Advisory Council (VASEP CERACO) with a list of council members, operating regulations and annual action plan of 2021.

VASEP CERACO will perform 4 main functions following:

– Comment on standards and procedures for seafood certification

– Summarize difficulties and problems of member enterprises to exchange, dialogue, and propose to solve with the certificate holder

– Coordinate with parties to support capacity building of member enterprises to implement certifications

– Promote Vietnam’s certified seafood enterprises and their products

VASEP CERACO Council will support VASEP member businesses to apply well and conveniently international sustainability certifications, contributing to improving the value and position of Vietnam and seafood products in the world market, aiming to achieve the goal of seafood export reaching 14-16 billion USD by 2030.

There are 19 members in CERACO:

– Group 1: 5 members from government bodies

– Group 2: 10 members from big seafood producers

– Group 3: 4 members from importer companies

As an innovator in the seafood industry, LP Foods is proud to be a member of the CERACO Council (Group 3). LP Foods, together with VASEP, will support enterprises to perform well in any matters related to Sustainability Certification.