Reviewing the SUPA project, developing the image of VN pangasius in the EU
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After 4 years of implementation, ‘Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain in Vietnam' (SUPA) project funded by the European Union (EU), chaired by Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre (VNCPC), jointly conducted with WWF-Vietnam, WWF-Austria and VASEP has obtained positive and specific results. Each pangasius company, which participated in deploying the support packages of the project, has saved VND2-5 billion and reduced 28.5% of water consumption, cut down 28% of wastewater into the environment, 18.6% of electricity consumption and reduced 2,000 MT of GHG discharged into the environment per year.
On 17th Jan 2017, SUPA Project Management Unit has organized the workshop "Review and evaluate the results of the project" in Can Tho province in order to assess, announce the results of the project as well as listen to the stakeholders in the supply chain.
According to VNCPC, this project has researched and transferred technology to 9 regions specializing in nursing and 9 regions focusing on farming; trained, transferred technology to more than 200 farmers in An Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho provinces; and applied the research results for 259 farmers in 3 provinces of Dong Thap, Vinh Long and An Giang.
To help pangasius processing enterprises optimize their production processes, save energy and water, reduce production costs, be creative in product innovation, improve corporate image, the project also deployed support packages to pangasius processing businesses through two programs, including Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) and Sustainable Product Innovation (SPI). After 48 months of implementation, 53 pangasius businesses have been trained and evaluated with RECP and 7 have got RECP certified.
As a part of the SUPA project, WWF-Austria initiated and developed new ideas to promote pangasius products in the EU with 3 ideas as followed:
(1) Improve packaging and delivery information on product packaging;
(2) Develop new product groups and new customers;
(3) Promoting and building the image of the products.
According to a survey by WWF-Austria, there were 86% of participants recognized pangasius products, 80% of those knew Alaska pollock products (whitefish products – competitors of Vietnam’s pangasius) and only 20% of them knew tilapia. About 50% of consumers love the taste of pangasius and over 30% of consumers prioritized its prices, 25% of consumers want to try pangasius.
However, Vietnam’s pangasius products in Europe still face many challenges, such as image smearing, competing with other whitefish products. Through the Fish Forward project in 11 European countries, WWF-Austria will continue to build positive stories about pangasius and promote them together with the global WWF network.
After the seminar, representatives of 4 parties involving in the SUPA project and Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Can Tho University also conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the sample farms.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy