This booklet was prepared for the readers to easy understand about Vietnamese Pangasius and Pangasius industry.

Vietnamese Pangasius are highly appreciated by local and international consumers, not only for its high nutritious value, white muscle, without horizontal bones, without smell of sediment and seaweed a little of taste lipid content, but also for its safety to all consumers in all age groups.

Vietnamese Pangasius is a species of traditional farming by farmers in the Mekong River Delta. To meet high demand of global and domestic consumers, after 10 year development since 1996, fish farming area has been expanded nearly 6,000 hectares in 10 Mekong Delta provinces.

Most of fish farming area are strictly managed in accordance with national regulations on food safety and environmental protection. Until June 2012, over a half of fish farming area nationwide is audited and certified by internationally sustainable standards such as GlobalGAP, AquaGAP, BAP/GAA and ASC (recently certified). The process of auditing and certifying for Vietnamese pangasius is being carried out strictly according to requirements of consumers which proved that Vietnamese pangasius is not only loved by tasty smell with high nutritious value but it also satisfies strict requirements of the market.

Vietnam has nearly 100 pangasius exporting and processing companies in which their processing facilities are equipped modern equipments and controlled in accordance with HACCP. Pangasius products are being exported to 145 countries and territories worldwide such as EU, the U.S., ASEAN, Canada, the Middle East, China, Japan, etc. Fish export volume and value to markets reported steady annual growth of 10 - 18 percent, worth by US$1.8 - 2 billion per year in two recent years.

The booklet compiled under the Q & A form provides basic knowledge of pangasius, techniques of farming and processing, quality management, information of importers and the government’s regulations on breeding, processing and exporting specific fish products.

 

Editorial Board

Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)

Head office: 218 street No.6, Lot A, An Phu - An Khanh New Urban Area, District 2, Hochiminh, Vietnam

Tel: (+84 8) 6281 0430 / Fax: (+84 8) 6281 0438

Email: vasephcmcity@vasep.com.vn

Rep. office: 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Tel: (+84.4) 3771 5055; Fax: (+84.4) 3771 5084

E-mail: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

 

Which models of Pangasius organic farming have been applied in Vietnam?

In the future, demand for sustainable seafood products will be on an upward trend. Achieving certificates of international standards will help enterprises raise its competitiveness and create a firm position in the international markets.

Several Pangasius farms have been set up and implemented organic farming models, in compliance with international standards:

1.   Model of Green Farm (applying AquaGAP standard) have been undertaking in Dong Thap province, by Vinh Hoan Joint-Stock Company. Principles to be respected: compliance with Government master-plan, environment protection and friendliness, social responsibilities, farmed fish health, food safety and traceability.

2.   Model of Organic farming in An Giang province, jointly invested by BINCA Seafood (head office located in Germany) has been inspected and certified by NaturLand. Organic farmed Tra  fish are exported to Germany and certain European countries during the recent years.

3.   Tra farming model by applying GlobalGAP (with principles: social and environment responsibilities, food hygiene and safety, friendly and sustainable traceability) has been highly appreciated by European wholesalers and consumers.

4.   Fresh fish raising models such as PurePanga, TracePanga are highly appreciated by authorities and customers.

5.   Many businesses have been applying and achieved BAP (Best Aquaculture Practice). BAP, set of standards developed by Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), is the leading standard for supply chain. This has been taken into consideration by many retailers and distributors across the US.

6.   Many businesses have been applying and achieved standards of Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). ASC certified pangasius products are suggested by retailers and consumers to promote food safety and responsibility to society and environment.

 

7.   VietGAP standards, harmonizing international standards on sustainability including ASC, GlobalGAP, BAP, are applied to Vietnamese pangasius industry from 2014.