Zhanjiang Port operator Zhanjiang Port Group Co. in China’s Guangdong Province has temporarily suspended frozen food imports from Vietnam, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and five other Asian countries as Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) prevention measures have impacted loading capacity. The June 20-July 15 suspension will primarily affect seafood.
According to a statement from Vietnam’s National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD): “Suspension of imports of frozen products from 11 Asian countries is a decision by the port operator. No such decision has been made by Guangdong Province or the Chinese government.”
Earlier this month China’s General Administration of Customs reportedly suspended the import of frozen seafood products from six Indian companies – M/S Arya Sea Foods Private Limited, M/S RVR Marine Products Limited, Liberty Frozen Foods PVT LTD, M/S Jagadeesh Marine Exports, M/S Nezami Rekha Seafoods Private Limited and M/S Vanita Cold Storage – for one week after traces of coronavirus were said to have been detected on outer packaging. The exporters named were
VN Express International reports that the port’s cargo loading capacity has been affected by pandemic prevention measures for staff and workers, following an outbreak in Covid-19 cases in Guandong that began in late May.
The South China Morning Post reported on June 14 that two Covid-19 medical workers are among new coronavirus cases in the city of Guangzhou, where 146 locally transmitted infections have been recorded since May 21.
According to Vietnam’s General Statistic Office, Vietnam has exported US $2.49 billion worth of seafood during the first four months of 2021, up 11.6 percent year-on-year. Shipments to China generated $253 million during the period.
