The increased exports are attributed to the signing of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement that became effective as of December 1.

Vietnam will join with Japan to appoint a cooperative committee with responsibility for food safety and quality.

Japan will also provide Vietnam with help to build a seafood facility to international food hygiene standards.

Japan is Vietnam’s major market for frozen shrimp with yearly revenue estimated at almost US$400 million, reports the VASEP.

Numerous Vietnamese seafood exporters have promoted their produce in this market.

Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company (Fimex VN) general director Duong Ngoc Kim said her company recently signed a contract to export 1,000 tonnes of agricultural products to Japan’s Toyota Tsusho exports company.

She added that the company has just exported 20 tonnes of seafood produce to Japan.