Vietnamese Ministry: No Official Statement Regarding Suspension of China's Tropical Rock Lobster Imports

In response to reports from local seafood exporters regarding the unexplained suspension of live tropical rock lobster imports from Vietnam by China, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated on Tuesday that they have not received any official announcement from the Chinese side regarding this halt.

The Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department, operating under the ministry, reported the case to the minister and other relevant officials on the same day.

Previously, the fishing community and seafood exporters in Phu Yen Province had reached out to the ministry, seeking assistance with the shipment of tropical rock lobsters to China.

Meanwhile, certain packaging firms reported that Chinese customs agencies at certain border gates had halted the importation of live tropical rock lobsters from Vietnam, although the reasons behind this action remained unknown.

Upon being informed about the issue, the department wrote to the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in China, urging them to collaborate with China’s General Administration of Customs to verify the report and request that the Chinese side provide Vietnamese seafood firms with new importation requirements for live tropical rock lobsters.