At a recent conference in An Giang province, the Prime Minister directed relevant ministries and sectors to formulate a project on Basa catfish production and consumption, with the aim of turning Basa fish into one of the country’s major exports.

This is considered a correct policy as it will help increase seafood export earnings and generate jobs for local people in the Mekong River Delta which is the country’s largest aquatic farming area. Besides expanding the export markets, producers and processors are encouraged to safeguard and promote Vietnamese Basa fish abroad.

Between March 16-28, several Egyptian newspapers reported widely that Vietnamese Basa fish lived in a contaminated environment and that Basa fish products contained anti-biotic residue that could be harmful to consumers.

The misleading information, published in print and online newspapers, concerned Egyptian importers and consumers. The Egyptian embassy in Hanoi decided to temporarily stop granting licenses to consignments of Basa fish products for fear that the fish could affect consumer health.

Why and for what purpose was the incorrect information on Vietnamese Basa fish released? It is said that Egyptian importers circulated the news to get the lion’s share of the market. Some say Egyptian seafood producers and processors wanted local consumers to buy their products, while others say the imported Basa fish was offered at a lower price than similar local aquatic products, hurting domestic production.

The problem was only solved after relevant Vietnamese agencies, including the Vietnamese embassy in Egypt, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, gave evidence showing that Vietnamese Basa fish is completely safe.

Shortly after that the Egyptian embassy in Hanoi resumed granting licenses to Vietnamese seafood businesses. Relevant Egyptian agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Ministry of Health and the Veterinary Quarantine Authority, confirmed that the Vietnamese fish is completely safe.

Egypt is a potential market for Vietnamese seafood, including Basa fish, with its import value reaching US$63 million in 2008 from just US$4.5 million in 2005. Together with an increase in the import volume, Vietnamese Basa fish was widely known in the country and several other Middle Eastern nations. Although Egypt corrected the information, consumers in the region have still felt uneasy.

“Basa fish is delicious and cheap and I had used it for several years until I found bad news about the fish in newspapers,” says Edat Tonba, who works for Sheraton Lux resort. “I didn’t dare to eat it. To re-build its image, I think Vietnam must have their fish products certified internationally.”

Wholesale fish markets and big supermarkets have been hard hit by the recent false information. Basa fish is no longer displayed at Obua wholesale fish market, about 40km from capital Cairo. The fish stored in freezing compartments is only sold when asked for by consumers.

At Gida fish market, shop owners say that over the past few days, they have only sold 10 kg a day - one fourth or one fifth of the volume months ago. Many owners have only ordered a small amount of Basa fish as they fear it will not sell well again.
Local importers and consumers were happy after the information on Vietnamese Basa was corrected by relevant Egyptian agencies. However, the importers say that the correct information should be further publicised through the media to help consumers gain an understanding of Vietnamese Basa fish.

“The number of consumers has fallen significantly and I think it will take them at least 2-3 months to use the fish again,” says Aden Mohmet, general director of Dream company which is one of the major importers of Vietnamese Basa fish.
“I think the Egyptian media and relevant agencies should further clarify information about Basa fish farming and processing as well as confirming that Vietnamese Basa fish products are safe.”

To make the fish a leading seafood export staple, experts say relevant Vietnamese agencies, businesses and craft associations should promote marketing and provide complete information relating to the safety and hygiene of Basa fish to importers.