(vasep.com.vn)Whiteleg shrimp farming will be expanded in 2014 thanks to its high productivity and short farming period. In 2013, the export turnover of whiteleg shrimp surpassed black tiger shrimp for the first time. Besides, its export revenue contributed significantly in Vietnam’s total seafood exports.
However, expansion of whiteleg shrimp farming area may lead to risks of disease outbreak. Thus, competent authorities will strengthen to prevent the spreading of the disease.
Whiteleg shrimp products has become popular with consumers. If demand for vannamei remains high, farmers will continue to expand their farming area to meet demand of processors.
Through November 2013, shrimp farming area of the country was estimated to hit 653,000 hectares including 64,000 hectares of vannamei (fetching the output of 243,000 MT) and 589,000 hectares of black tiger shrimp with the production of 233,000 MT. It proved that the productivity of vannamei is higher than black tiger shrimp.
In Jan – Nov 2013, shrimp sales posted a 36 percent year-on-year increase to hit US$2.8 billion including US$1.4 billion of vannamei sales and over US$1.2 billion of black tiger shrimp.
The recovery in vannamei production produced by China and Thailand in 2014 thanks to solutions for EMS problem may reduce pressure to shrimp price.
Vietnam’s shrimp farmers will expand vannamei farming area if the shrimp price remains high levels. In the early December 2013, the price of vannamei count 30 pieces was VND200,000 per kilogram, equaling to that of black tiger shrimp with the same size.
Whiteleg shrimp has been raised for a trial in Vietnam since 2001. Since 2008, vannamei has been allowed to be farmed nationwide.
In 2008, whiteleg shrimp farming area was 13,455 hectares with average productivity of 3 MT per hectare. Through November 2013, the area of vannamei farming increased to nearly 64,000 hectares with productivity of 3.8 MT per hectare.