Pangasius fish exports earn more than 1.5 billion USD

Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development show that as of October 15, Vietnam's tra fish export turnover reached 1.5 billion USD, up 8.9% over the same period last year.

November 17, at Dong Thap, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) organized a conference to summarize the industry Pangasius fish 2024, discuss solutions for 2025.

According to the Department of Fisheries - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , the output Pangasius fish This year, it is estimated to reach 1.6 million tons, a slight decrease compared to the same period last year. As of October 15, the export turnover of pangasius reached 1.5 billion USD, an increase of 8.9% over the same period in 2023. However, the growth rate is uneven due to fierce competition from other countries and whitefish products.

Currently, the country has 1,920 facilities producing and raising pangasius breeds, including 2 facilities producing and raising parent breeds; 76 facilities producing breeds and 1,842 facilities raising pangasius fry to fingerlings.

According to the Department of Fisheries, high value-added pangasius products still account for a small proportion, mainly frozen products. Depending on a number of large export markets such as the US, China, ASEAN... makes pangasius products vulnerable if these markets change their policies or have stricter requirements on quality and food safety. In addition, lack of coordination and excessive competition among Vietnamese processors and exporters, along with uneven quality, have affected the reputation and brand of the products. Vietnamese pangasius fish.

The orientation of the pangasius industry until 2025 will shift the agricultural economic structure towards increasing the production value of advantageous, low-resource intensive sectors. At the same time, investing in and upgrading essential infrastructure to meet production requirements for over 30 concentrated aquaculture areas and concentrated seed production areas; Build production, processing and consumption chain, ensuring stable output for over 30% of aquaculture products.

Workers processing tra fish in Dong Thap. Photo: Hoa Hoi.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien - Vice Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee - said that this year, the province's pangasius production value is estimated at more than VND 8,800 billion, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2023, accounting for over 17% of the total production value of the province's agriculture, forestry and fishery sector. The commercial pangasius farming area is 2,630 hectares (an increase of 10 hectares compared to 2023), with an estimated output of 540,000 tons (an increase of 15,000 tons compared to 2023).

At the conference, delegates also pointed out challenges in the coming time such as: Competition with other aquatic species; export price of Vietnamese pangasius compared to other countries; impact of climate change; regulations on emission reduction in farming, processing and exporting pangasius; technical and trade barriers of importing countries on pangasius products.

In addition, experts and delegates proposed a number of solutions to develop the tra fish industry, such as: There needs to be close links between businesses and farmers to ensure market supply and demand; managing production conditions for aquatic breeding facilities and feed production facilities. Aquaculture, environmental treatment products; forming sustainable pangasius farming areas; applying advanced scientific and technological solutions in the management and production of pangasius fry and commercial products.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development - Phung Duc Tien suggested that localities need to develop tra fish breeds in an industrial direction, with large-scale production, ensuring biosafety; and strictly control the management and use of antibiotics in farming.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien. Photo: V. Tien.

Mr. Tien It is necessary to strictly manage pangasius seed production facilities to ensure the quality of seed sources; pangasius production and processing must aim for green production and emission reduction; and improve the effectiveness of scientific research in pangasius farming and production.

According to Mr. Tien, localities and businesses need to Forming a closed chain in production - processing - consumption; enhancing the application of science and technology, taking advantage of by-products to increase product value. In addition to traditional markets, it is necessary to seek and develop new potential markets, including Muslim markets that meet Halal certification requirements.

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