(pangasius-vietnam.com) As prediction of difficulties due to lack of raw material for processing, Godaco focused on developing its own fish farms to ensure supply for its processing facilities, minimizing the dependence on outside sources.
The Tien Giang-based firm actively invested in pangasius farming areas, assuring nearly 100 percent of raw fish needs for its processing plants, so far.
The company owns now a closed production chain including a feed mill with capacity of 300 MT per day, fish hatchery for 50 million fingerlings per year, fish farms with total superficies of more than 150 hectares for an estimated output of 80,000 MT of raw fish per year. Godaco operates four seafood processing plants: two plants for pangasius production (with capacity of 100 MT of raw fish and 150 MT of raw fish per day); a clam processing plant with capacity of 30 MT of raw material per day; and a processing plant for seafood mix and other value-added products.
The company also built a plant processing fishmeal and fish oil from pangasius byproducts to export to China and South Korea.
Developing certified pangasius farming area
Godaco has received ASC certificate for fish farming area of 30 hectares, another 15-hectare fish farm was also certified by GlobalGAP certification program. In 2014, the company will apply ASC standards in two other fish farms with area of 30 hectares.
The ASC standards will help Godaco ensure a well-management of its fish farming area’s impacts on the environment and surrounding communities, looking towards sustainable development. Sustainably farmed fish products are expected to make Godaco easier to meet strict technical barriers of European markets as well as satisfy requirements of consumers there.
Successful results
In 2012, Godaco exported pangasius, clam and seafood mix products to earn back US$31 million; 60 percent of which came from pangasius.
With two key export items – pangasius and clams, the company is trying to apply new technologies in production chain in order to reduce production costs and improve product quality.
Between January and March 2013, pangasius exports increased by 10 percent against the compatible time of 2012. Godaco targets to reach US$45 million of yearly export value, up 12 percent from the previous year.