All shrimp processors must grow their own raw material

The draft scheme of managing production, process and exports of brackish water shrimp in Mekong Delta has been in consultation period hosted by Directorate of Fisheries under Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

According to General Directorate of Fisheries, the project is a must to optimize potentials, delegate works, reduce risks of epidemics and environmental, market risks and limit conflicts with other economic sectors.

According to the General Directorate of Fisheries, by the end of 2013, there has been nearly 596,000 hectares used for growing shrimps in Mekong Delta, accounting for almost 91% of total brackish water shrimp farming area all over Vietnam, in which more than 580,000 hectares is for ​​black tiger shrimp and the remaining is for white leg shrimp. Mekong Delta harvested 431,570 MT of brackish water shrimp, of which Ca Mau province owned the largest share with 133,500 MT, followed by Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Ben Tre with 85 630 MT, 68,500 MT and 49 156 MT, respectively.

However, this shrimp production is as much as 60% to 70% of the capacity for the shrimp processing plants in Mekong Delta. Raw shrimp source varies season by season due to epidemics. Shortage of raw material is a problem. Enterprises now have to import raw shrimp due shortage of domestic shrimp.

Only a few seafood businesses have their own material area. There are few contracts between companies and farmers. Most processing plants purchase their raw materials from dealers who buy shrimp from farmers.

General Directorate of Fisheries requires processors to own material area that can provide at least 10% of processing capacity, remaining material is supplied from suppliers through contracts certified by state agencies.  

For the shrimp farms applying VietGap standards for shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta, project implementation period is from 2015 to 2020.