Vietnamese tra fish exports face higher U.S. anti-dumping duties

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has warned that Vietnamese tra fish (pangasius) exports to the United States will face increased competition following a sharp rise in anti-dumping duties. The final results of the 21st administrative review (POR21) by the U.S. Department of Commerce were less favorable than preliminary findings for several exporters.

Specific duty increases include Bien Dong Seafood Co. Ltd., which saw its rate rise from $0.29 to $1 per kilogram, and NTSF Seafood JSC, which saw an increase from $0.07 to $0.38 per kilogram. Other companies, such as Can Tho Import Export Seafood JSC and Nam Viet Corporation, faced rate increases to $0.84 per kilogram.

These higher duties, combined with an existing 12.5-percent Section 301 tariff, place a significant burden on frozen fillets which typically operate on narrow profit margins. VASEP notes that U.S. importers may respond by seeking lower prices, renegotiating contracts, or switching to alternative suppliers, such as U.S. farmed catfish or other whitefish products.