GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam, with a coastline of over 3,260 kilometers (km) and more than 3,000 islands and islets scattered offshore, plus up to 2,860 rivers and estuaries, has been geographically endowed with ideal conditions for the thriving fishery sector which currently exists.

Great potential of fishery sector in Vietnam is embedded in water bodies of 1.700.000 ha in which 811.700 ha freshwater, 635.400 ha brackish waters and 125.700 ha coves and 300.000 - 400.000 ha wetland areas might be employed for aquaculture development.

The Mekong River Delta in the south and the Red River Delta in the north have been used for wild catch fishing as well as extensive fish farming.

Shrimp and pangasius mostly farmed in the Mekong River Delta, in which, shrimp farmes located in coastal provinces such as Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Ben Tre..

Pangasius farming is developing in many provinces in Mekong River Delta such as Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, An Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh....

Production in the fishery sector grew at an average rate of 7.05% from 1991 to 2000, and 10% from 2001 to now. The country produces annually over 6 million MT of fish, in which its landings reached 2.7 million MT and aquaculture reached 3.3 million MT. In 2021, total fisheries production reached 8.7 million MT, including 3.9 million tons from catching and 4.85 million tons from aquaculture.

An Giang province records good export growth of key items

The Mekong Delta province of An Giang has enjoyed good growth in the overseas shipments of its key export items – tra fish and rice – in the first eight months of 2018, according to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade.

Deputy Director of the department Doan Minh Triet said the province’s total export value between January and August surpassed 526.2 million USD, rising 4.4 percent year on year and equivalent to 63 percent of this year’s target.

About 265,350 tonnes of rice worth over 135.8 million USD were shipped abroad during the period, up 13.7 percent in volume and 26 percent in value. This expansion was attributable to a rise of about 50 USD per tonne in rice export prices to reach 512 USD per tonnes.

The province also exported 75,650 tonnes of frozen aquatic products, bringing home more than 181.4 million USD, down 6 percent in volume but up 19.2 percent in value. The value increase was also boosted by high tra fish export prices which averaged 2,416 USD per tonne, up 515 USD per tonnes from last year.

Meanwhile, more than 5,340 tonnes of frozen fruits and vegetables were sold to foreign markets, generating 8.69 million USD in revenue.

An Giang also recorded export turnover of 69.78 million USD from garments, 13.74 million USD from footwear, and 12.6 million USD from fertilizers in the eight months.

Triet said rice and frozen seafood exports are likely to continue growing well in the remaining months of the year.

He added the local industry and trade sector is increasing support for businesses’ activities by boosting administrative reforms, improving the Provincial Competitiveness Index, updating local firms about export markets, and issuing solutions to business obstacles.

VNA