(vasep.com.vn) Despite shortage of raw materials, Bac Lieu-based seafood companies strived to complete contracts signed with foreign buyers on time. In the first eight months of 2013, Bac Lieu sold mostly shrimp products abroad to generate US$187.5 million, up 22 percent against the same period of last year. Exported frozen shrimp products were over 21.000 MT.
Currently, Bac Lieu has 33 seafood factories and companies with total production capacity of 100,000 MT per year. However, in recent years, local companies have not fulfilled 50 percent of their annual capacity due to short raw material supply. In 2013, processing plants are predicted to process 39,000 MT. It would be the highest level.
To reach the target of US$300 million of export revenue, Bac Lieu authorized agencies are requiring local companies to strengthen the control of raw material supply in order to assure the quality and food safety of exported products. Currently, some companies sign contracts to collect shrimp from farmers at good prices and they provides some capital and shrimp seeds to assist local farmers to keep their supply stable.
It is also essential to call for assistances of the electricity sector in ensuring power sources for fish processing activities and those of banks in offering more loans to processors for raw material purchase.