Tiếng Anh Giao Thương Thủy Sản

How to Reply to a Frozen Shrimp Inquiry

If you export seafood from Vietnam, a foreign buyer may contact you to ask about your frozen shrimp products.

You do not need to give the buyer every piece of information immediately. A good first reply has three jobs:

1. Introduce your products 2. Ask what the buyer needs 3. Confirm the next step

1. Introduce your products

Start by telling the buyer what you can supply.

For example:

We supply frozen black tiger shrimp and vannamei shrimp.

You can then give more information about the product form:

We can offer HOSO and HLSO shrimp.

HOSO means head-on, shell-on, while HLSO means headless, shell-on.

You may also mention how the product is processed or frozen:

We can supply IQF frozen shrimp in different sizes and packaging.

You do not need to explain your whole product catalogue. First, find out what the customer wants.

2. Ask about the buyer's requirements

A buyer may simply say:

“We are interested in importing frozen shrimp from Vietnam.”

This is not enough information to prepare a quotation.

Ask some simple questions:

What type of shrimp are you looking for?

What size do you need?

What quantity do you need?

What packaging do you prefer?

What is the destination port?

These questions help you understand the buyer's specifications before discussing the final offer.

3. Clarify important details

If something is unclear, do not guess.

You can say:

Could you confirm the size grade?

Could you repeat the quantity, please?

Do you mean 1 kg bags?

So, you need HLSO vannamei shrimp, correct?

These phrases are especially useful when speaking with an international buyer because they help prevent misunderstandings.

4. Move to the next step

After you understand the buyer's requirements, explain what you will do next.

For example:

Thank you for the information. We can prepare a quotation based on your specifications.

Or:

We can provide an FOB quotation after confirming the size, quantity and packaging.

You can also ask for any remaining information:

Could you confirm your destination port and payment terms?

Example conversation

Buyer: Hello. We are looking for frozen shrimp suppliers in Vietnam.

Supplier: Thank you for your inquiry. We supply frozen black tiger and vannamei shrimp. What type of shrimp are you looking for?

Buyer: We are interested in HLSO vannamei.

Supplier: Certainly. What size and quantity do you need?

Buyer: We need 21/25 size. We would like to start with one container.

Supplier: Thank you. What packaging do you prefer?

Buyer: 1 kg bags, 10 bags per carton.

Supplier: Okay. So you need HLSO vannamei, size 21/25, packed in 1 kg bags, correct?

Buyer: That's correct.

Supplier: Great. Could you also confirm the destination port? We can then prepare a quotation for you.

Useful vocabulary

supplier — a company that sells or provides products buyer — a person or company that buys products inquiry — a request for information quantity — how much the buyer needs packaging — how the product is packed specification — detailed information about the required product quotation — an official price offer destination port — the port where the goods will be delivered

Try it yourself

Imagine you receive this message:

“Hello. We are an importer in Australia and we are interested in buying frozen shrimp from Vietnam. Please send us more information.”

Write a short reply.

Try to include:

• We supply...
• We can offer...
• What ... do you need?
• Could you confirm...?

Remember

A good salesperson does not only answer questions.

A good salesperson also asks the right questions.