CAPE TOWN: The excessive delay to obtain permission for an Indian delegation to visit South Africa, following the rejection of a shipment of shrimp vannamei, is worrying seafood exporters and the Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA). The issue has been addressed by the South African High Commission delegation led by Mkhululi Mankazana, Minister Counsellor Agriculture Affairs on their visit to Kochi. The rejection of Vannamei shrimp consignment following the detection of Vibrio cholerae bacteria in the shipment by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS) was communicated to the visiting High Commission delegation.
Jayathilak, MPEDA Chairman, told Hindu BusinessLine that the aim of the Indian team’s visit to South Africa is to study the sampling methodology and procedure adopted by NRCS controlled labs. The visit aims to solve the issue immediately and prevent the risk of losing this Indian export market. Even though South Africa accounts for only 1-2 per cent of Indian shrimp exports, it is an emerging market as far as seafood exports are concerned, the executive explained.
The detention of around 100 containers of shrimp consignment from the country would be worrisome as the industry is passing through a critical phase during the business slowdown era. The question has added concern to the sector when the European Union also has adopted tougher testing norms for seafood exports from India by enhancing the norms of samplings to 50 per cent from the earlier 10 per cent, sources in the seafood sector pointed out.
