The move followed the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade’s reaction to send a letter to Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, saying that the import ban showed signs of running counter to the spirit of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the ASEAN Economic Community, of which both are members.
Vietnam's catfish
On January 8, the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries released an announcement about the suspension of the import of certain catfish species from some countries bordering Cambodia, including Vietnam.
The ban came after requests by farmed fish breeders in Cambodia who said they are badly affected by the market being flooded with smuggled farmed fish from neighbouring countries, which has led to a drop in prices for domestically farmed fish.
Although the suspension was removed, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnamese seafood exporters need to meet Cambodia’s import regulations, particularly in relation to food safety.
Vietnam’s seafood export value to Cambodia was estimated around USD60 million over recent years.
