VietNamNet Bridge – The Association of Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) and US catfish processors have removed the names of 27 Vietnamese tra and basa exporters from the list of companies subject to the fourth administrative review, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

On August 31, 2007, the plaintiff in the catfish dumping lawsuit informed the US Department of Commerce (DOC) the names of Vietnamese companies subject to the fourth annual administrative review.

However, the law firm Akin Gump Straus Hauer & Feld LLp, representing the plaintiff, sent a letter on December 20 to the DOC Secretary, announcing that the plaintiff has agreed to remove the names of 27 Vietnamese companies from the list.

The DOC will conduct an administrative review of tra and basa exports to the US by Vietnamese companies between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007.

The 27 Vietnamese companies which have been removed from the list of those subject to review are: Afiex An Giang; Agifish; Anvifish Co., Ltd; Basa Co., Ltd; Cataco; Caseamex; Cafatex; Caseafood; CL-Fish Co., Ltd; Seaprodex Da Nang; Coseafex; East Sea Seafoods Joint Venture Co., Ltd; Gepimex 404; limited companies: Hai Nam, Hai Vuong, Hoan An, Hung Vuong, Kim Anh; Mekongfish; Nam Viet  (NAVICO); Ngoc Thai; South Vina; Vietnam Fish-One Co., Ltd; Vinh Hoan (Đong Thap); Vinh Hoan Corporation; Imex Cuu Long and Vinh Quang Fisheries Corporation.

All other companies named on the August 31, 2007 list will be subject to the fourth review.

The US catfish farmers brought suit against Vietnamese filet tra and basa producers five years ago, the result of which was the DOC’s decision to impose anti-dumping tax rates on Vietnamese companies’ exports. Every year, the DOC conducts an administrative review of named exporters, which decides appropriate tax rates for the companies.

Despite the anti-dumping tax rates imposed on exports to the US, Vietnam is still able to export a large volume of catfish globally, with turnover nearly reaching the $1bil level.

The demand for catfish keeps increasing on the world market. Exports to Russia, the second biggest market for Vietnam’s tra and basa fish, resumed after food hygiene problems were settled. Vietnam’s export products now meet the strict requirements set by major importers (the EU, US, Russia and Australia).

In the first three quarters of 2007, the EU remained the biggest importer of tra and basa from Vietnam, consuming 46.2% in terms of quantity and 49% in terms of export turnover. Russia is the second biggest export market for Vietnam’s catfish, followed by ASEAN countries, the US, Ukraine and Mexico.

Ha Yen