Leveraging natural advantages to enhance product value
Cà Mau has been restructuring its shrimp sector to align with value chain development. The province encourages the formation of cooperative groups, cooperatives, and shrimp farming clubs to improve access to capital and technical assistance. As a result, the improved extensive farming model has been widely adopted by local farmers.
In Thới Bình district, over 32,000 hectares are under extensive shrimp farming, of which about 17,000 hectares apply the improved high-yield model. Farmers have seen clear benefits from using this model, including greater application of scientific techniques, reduced production risks, improved environmental protection, and better-quality shrimp.
Mr. Trần Văn Giới, a farmer in Tân Phú commune, successfully implemented the two-phase improved extensive model on a 2-hectare farm. He stocked 30,000 domesticated black tiger shrimp postlarvae and harvested over 450 kg of shrimp after just over three months. The shrimp reached sizes of 15–16 count/kg. After deducting costs, his net profit exceeded VND 80 million per crop—significantly higher than traditional methods.
Low-cost, farmer-friendly practices
The improved extensive model retains many characteristics of traditional shrimp farming—such as low stocking density, minimal chemical input, and reliance on natural feed sources—while introducing refinements like better seed management, scheduled mineral and probiotic supplementation, and occasional direct feeding. Importantly, implementation costs remain low at just a few hundred thousand dong per hectare, making the model accessible to small-scale farmers.
This model not only reduces production costs but also contributes to environmental improvements by minimizing waste discharge, improving water quality, and promoting clean, green farming practices.
Toward sustainable production and value chain integration
As of 2025, Cà Mau has developed approximately 127,600 hectares of improved extensive shrimp farming linked to value chains, involving over 64,800 households. Average yields reach 550 kg/ha/year, with a projected total output of nearly 71,000 tons for the year.
To further improve efficiency, the province is investing in infrastructure, piloting demonstration farms, upgrading broodstock and input quality, and providing suitable financial support. At the same time, technical training, extension services, and science-based production methods are being promoted.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging cooperative-based production through access to land, credit, digital technology, and branding support. Cooperatives are being supported to apply safe, organic, and good aquaculture practices (GAP) to meet market demands and enhance product value.
Planning efforts are also underway to consolidate improved extensive farming areas into concentrated production zones, especially in shrimp–mangrove and rice–shrimp ecosystems. These areas are being developed in line with organic and sustainable farming orientations.
With strong local engagement and favorable environmental conditions, Cà Mau’s improved extensive shrimp farming model is emerging as a viable path toward sustainable aquaculture development and improved rural livelihoods.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
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