MEKSEA.COM – Recently, the appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron threaten the seafood supply chain.

Omicron variant (B.1.1.5.29) was first detected and collected for testing in South Africa on 9th Nov 2021. The WHO warned this was a ” SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern” (VOCs), and asked countries to increase surveillance and sequence the new virus’s genome.

The Omicron coronavirus variant will exacerbate pressure on the already stressed-out global supply chain. Therefore, it’s forecasted that the crisis perhaps prolongs due to the appearance of the Omicron.

Outbreaks from the Delta variant worsened supply chain turmoil earlier year, causing many businesses, including seafood enterprises to shut down, especially in Asia.

SARS-CoV-2 Delta has had many serious effects on the global seafood supply chain 2021 such as lack of empty containers, port congestion, shipping delay and so on. (photo: Internet)

In 2021, the coronavirus has had many serious effects on the global seafood supply chain, which can be seen from the lack of empty containers to floods, the covid-19 epidemic causing many ports to shut down. The energy crisis in China and Europe is also the latest factor contributing to the wobble of the shipping industry.

The Omicron has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. As a result, import and export activities in many countries are more and more strictly controlled.

According to analysts, China will likely strengthen “zero-covid” measures with Omicron. Many months ago, China tightened the import of goods, including frozen seafood products. Good imported into China are strictly inspected, especially in countries with severe covid-19 epidemic or the appearance of the Omicron variant.

Many shipments imported into China are 100% directly inspected, making customs clearance more slow and difficult to avoid congestion at border gates and seaports. (photo: Internet)

Even, in early December 2021, this country announced to suspend the import of frozen seafood from Indonesia because the virus was detected in packets of their frozen seafood products.

In that context, lockdown in some countries will lead to many serious consequences. If lockdown happened, not only shipping would be restricted, but there would also be more shortages of raw material for production. Furthermore, the prolonged orders backlog was also affected.

According to statistics from Oxford Economics, in 2021, international shipping has less than half of container vessels arriving on time. Delays persisted for more than a week longer than specified.

Moreover, according to TS Lombard, Vietnam is a key exporter in Asia – will regain export market share after the 3rd wave of COVID-19.

The pandemic has forced the Southeast Asian countries to close many seafood factories, which disrupted seafood supply chains for months in 2021.

Currently, seafood factories in Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam) have gradually recovered. But once again, the appearance of the Omicron variant could be a matter of concern.

Furthermore, according to Oxford Economics, if the Omicron strain enters the supply chain, it could reduce Asia’s gross domestic product by 1.6 percent in 2022.

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By Hayati (Meksea Team)

(hayati@mekseaconnection.com)

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