HCMC – Many tons of Vietnamese lobsters have perished while awaiting customs clearance for export to China, over the past three days as China abruptly imposed restrictions on the import of this valuable aquatic product.
The Mong Cai Customs Department said that about 100 refrigerated trucks carrying fresh and chilled aquatic products go through customs clearance procedures daily via the pontoon bridge Km3+4. China’s sudden policy shift in recent days has inflicted significant losses on lobster exporters, resulting in widespread lobster deaths with insufficient time for resolution.
Upon learning of China’s import restrictions on lobsters, many businesses transported stranded lobsters back to farming areas or warehouses for storage. However, numerous refrigerator truck drivers unable to locate suitable facilities for preserving the lobsters had to witness mass deaths of these valuable crustaceans.
Around six tons of lobsters might have perished over the past three days, as reported by a customs officer. These affected lobsters were priced at VND400,000 per kilogram, which is merely one-third of the market price.
To address this situation, the Mong Cai Customs Department has kept exporting companies informed about the Chinese restrictions. Additionally, Vietnamese authorities are collaborating with the administration of the Zhuang people in Guangxi, China, to alleviate the obstacles.
According to statistics from the Mong Cai Customs, cargo throughput in this region has exceeded one million tons over the past nine months, an 80% surge compared to the previous year. As of September 15, trading activities have generated US$47 million, a 0.44% increase from the previous year.
