ANALYSIS OF POLICY CHANGES IN THE SEAFOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN VIETNAM

Abstract. This paper examines firms’ competitiveness in the seafood processing industry in Vietnam and policy changes for global integration. We find that trade liberalization is a very important policy change that has generally positive impacts and generates strong reactions in the seafood processing industry. Exchange rate depreciation is also an important factor and receives strong responsiveness as most of firms’ intermediate inputs are tradable and seafood products are also tradable. Increasing electricity charges that reduce profitability also generate strong reactions. Oil and petrol comprise a small portion of intermediate inputs, hence increasing the oil price does not significantly hinder the industry and does not stimulate very strong reactions. The US anti‐dumping tariff strongly hurts firms’ profitability, not only seafood exporting firms but also non‐exporters.