(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The industrial pangasius production in Vinh Long province in 2024 reached 95,100 tons, a 4% decrease compared to 2023. Despite the decline in production, positive trends in the final months of the year offer hope for improving economic efficiency in the near future. Additionally, the increase in the area for industrial pangasius farming and the maintenance of overall aquaculture area demonstrate the province’s efforts to sustain its production activities.
The total area for aquaculture in the province remained stable at 2,040 hectares, the same as the previous year. Of this, the area for industrial pangasius farming reached 296.2 hectares, a slight increase of 0.55% (up by 1.6 hectares).
All 82 intensive pangasius farming establishments in the province (focused on the primary farmed species) have been granted identification codes or certificates of registration.
Regarding cage farming, as of December 20, 2024, Vinh Long had 203 cage farming facilities with a total of 1,654 cages, of which 1,169 cages were in use, a decrease of 12 cages compared to the same period last year. The estimated harvest from this method for the year is 19,402 tons, a decrease of 0.97% (equivalent to 190 tons) compared to 2023. The main species farmed in cages is red tilapia, a species with stable economic value. However, the slight decline in the number of cages and harvest reflects the challenges in maintaining this farming method, especially when compared to the scale of industrial pangasius farming.
Sea bass farming: High profits from stable prices
Sea bass, a high-value aquatic species, is becoming an attractive choice for many aquaculture farmers. This species is popular not only for its high-quality, flavorful meat but also for its stable market price, offering sustainable profits for farmers.
Sea bass is favored not only in the domestic market but also in export markets.
Consumer demand: With its high nutritional content, rich in omega-3, and low in bones, sea bass is an ideal choice for a wide range of dishes, from fine dining to family meals.
Export potential: Countries such as Australia, the U.S., and the EU have a significant demand for sea bass, providing farmers with stable export opportunities. Adhering to international standards such as GlobalGAP and ASC also opens up more export possibilities.
The average farming time for sea bass is only about 6–8 months to reach a weight of 1–1.5 kg per fish. The short farming cycle allows for quicker capital turnover and reduces the risks of disease outbreaks.
Sea bass is an omnivorous species, which can be fed various types of feed, including trash fish, commercial feed, or homemade feed, helping farmers save on feed costs.