Building a Vietnamese oyster value chain to Japanese standards

A new milestone in Vietnam-Japan seafood cooperation has been marked with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vietnam Fisheries Society and Kunihiro Inc, a leading Japanese oyster producer and processor.

The MoU was officially signed on April 23 at Kunihiro’s headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan, witnessed by representatives from both sides and relevant authorities, with support from the Vietnam Trade Office under the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan.

Under the agreement, the two parties will work together to develop a full value chain for Vietnamese oysters based on Japanese standards, aiming to serve both the domestic and international markets. Kunihiro will assist Vietnam in upgrading farming areas to meet export requirements, improving oyster breeds and farming techniques suited to Vietnam’s marine environment, and transferring processing technologies ranging from cleaning and freezing to packaging and quality management.

On branding, both sides will collaborate to build the “Vietnamese Oyster – Japanese Standard” brand while encouraging the establishment of a distinct Vietnamese oyster brand for international markets. Additionally, Kunihiro will support human resources development by offering Vietnamese engineers internships to gain hands-on experience in Japan’s production processes and working culture.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nguyen Viet Thang, President of the Vietnam Fisheries Society, emphasized: “This is more than just an economic cooperation – it symbolizes the long-term and sustainable bond between our two countries and opens a new path for strengthening the competitiveness and sustainable growth of Vietnam’s seafood sector.”

With over 3,000 hectares of oyster farming areas stretching across the country, Vietnam is increasingly seen as an attractive destination for Japanese seafood investors. The synergy between Japan’s advanced technology and Vietnam’s favorable natural conditions promises to deliver high-value oyster products meeting international standards.

The MoU not only sets a new direction for Vietnam’s oyster industry but also reinforces a shared commitment to elevating the value of Vietnamese seafood on the global stage. By combining Japan’s expertise and Vietnam’s farming potential, both sides aim to establish a closed, sustainable value chain poised for international market expansion.

Prior to the signing, the Vietnamese delegation held an official working session on April 21 with Hiroshima provincial authorities to discuss strategies for developing Vietnam’s oyster industry to meet export and farming standards. On April 22, the delegation also conducted a field survey, visiting offshore and coastal oyster farms and Kunihiro’s state-of-the-art processing facilities, systems that have enabled Japan to succeed in demanding markets such as the U.S. and the European Union.

Source: https://vietfishmagazine.com/