Vietnam among targeting markets in Southeast Asia for Alaska seafood export

The effort will be at least partially fueled by a three-year, $5.5 million supplemental grant from the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service. The federal funds are part of a program designed to help ease the adverse effects of tariff and non-tariff barriers on US agricultural exporters. To serve as its overseas marketing representative, ASMI has selected AgriSource International, which has an office in Bangkok and representatives throughout the region, the group said in a press release.

Promotions will focus on Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, with an initial emphasis on building trade relationships and providing technical support and education across the foodservice, retail and reprocessing sectors.

ASMI previously promoted Alaska seafood in the region on a project-only basis.  "When it comes to seafood, Alaska and Southeast Asia are a great match,” said Tim Welsh of AgriSource. “For many years, Alaska has been supplying pollock, salmon, crab and other products to Southeast Asia’s many sophisticated food processing and canning companies for domestic consumers and export markets. But demand in the region is growing as Southeast Asia’s 650 million consumers travel more and want to try new, high-quality foods like the wild, sustainable seafood that Alaska offers.”

Ron Risher, international sales manager for Icicle Seafoods, said Southeast Asia has great potential for Alaska seafood because of the fewer import barriers than other emerging markets. “The domestic markets in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have potential for growth in foodservice and e-commerce," he said. "Perhaps the greatest opportunity is in working with local seafood secondary processors for Alaska salmon and whitefish and providing quality handling education for distribution to restaurants and retailers."

Also included in the awarded grant is funding to enhance existing programs for key markets in Japan, China, Europe and South America.

Source: Undercurrent News