Eearning trillions of VND from shrimp heads and fish tails

News 09:01 07/11/2024 Lê Hằng
While the price of 1 kg of shrimp hovers around 20 USD, the value of 1 kg of chitosan—extracted from shrimp—can soar to 500 USD. This highlights a significant challenge within the seafood processing industry.

Vinh Hoan stands out as a leader in this sector, employing a sustainable, closed-loop farming model with five subsidiaries focused on various aspects of aquaculture. These include pangasius seed production, aquatic feed, and the extraction of gelatin and collagen, along with a fertilizer production arm. Notably, the gross profit margin for the collagen and gelatin factory can reach up to 30%. Chairwoman Ms. Truong Thi Le Khanh emphasizes that optimizing production processes and minimizing waste enables the company to maximize profits.

Vinh Hoan's circular economic model not only enhances the processing of high-value products from by-products but also supports Vietnam's Net Zero goals. Many prominent seafood companies, such as De Heus, Minh Phu, Thang Long, Vietnam Food, and Skretting, are investing in R&D for aquaculture and seafood processing to lower emissions in line with international commitments.

Promoting the circular economic model over a linear one is seen as a crucial strategy for balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Vietnam aims to achieve 10 billion USD in shrimp exports by 2030—three times the current value—projecting an output of approximately 1.1 million tons. The estimated shrimp by-product volume stands at around 500,000 tons. Mr. Phan Thanh Loc, Chairman of Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company, notes that shrimp by-products can yield 20-30 times more value in the pharmaceutical sector or 15-20 times more in the functional food industry. With a shrimp production forecast of over 1.2 million tons in 2023, the potential for increased value from by-products is significant.

Vinh Hoan's circular model has led to remarkable results, with revenue from the collagen and gelatin segment experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2018 to 2023, contributing 7% to total revenue in 2023. In contrast, fishmeal and fish fat fetch prices of only 1.2-1.5 USD/kg, while collagen production can yield 15-20 USD/kg for finished products. Overall, leveraging by-products could enhance the value of Vinh Hoan's pangasius farming and processing chain by 15-25%.

Similarly, PAN Group Joint Stock Company is embracing sustainability as a cornerstone of modern agriculture, investing in a recycling production model. By collaborating with a shrimp shell processing company, PAN Group has transformed what would have been costly waste management for over 7,500 tons of shrimp heads and shells into an additional revenue stream of 15 billion VND.

Vietnam generates approximately 170-180 million tons of agricultural by-products annually. With the right processes and technologies for recovery and recycling, these by-products could offer substantial economic benefits while also mitigating environmental waste. The seafood industry aims to ensure that by 2030, all by-products from shrimp and fish processing will be repurposed for circular production.

The experience of Vietnam Food, which processes 35,000-50,000 tons of shrimp by-products each year—boosting their value by 6-8 times—serves as a valuable lesson. Mr. Loc stresses the need for innovative initiatives and a comprehensive industry ecosystem to promote growth. "We believe that today's waste is tomorrow's resource. Achieving this requires strong governmental support, as it represents a new industry," he concludes.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Eearning trillions of VND from shrimp heads and fish tails tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP
seafood by - products

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnam emerges as key seafood supplier to China’s $20 billion market

 |  08:28 07/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.

What did businesses and buyers find at Vietfish 2026?

 |  10:14 03/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the US: a large market, but a breakthrough remains elusive

 |  07:54 02/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.

The future workforce: the fisheries sector must become a career of choice

 |  07:58 31/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.

From POR21 Pressure to Opportunities for Vietnam’s Pangasius to Expand into Potential Markets

 |  08:31 25/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.

VIETFISH 2026 Successfully Concludes: record scale, innovation highlights, and meaningful business connections

 |  19:33 23/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.

5 Seminars at Vietfish 2026: New Perspectives for the Seafood Industry

 |  09:48 21/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.

VIETFISH 2026 Officially Opens: record scale, deeper connections across the global seafood value chain

 |  12:11 19/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”

Press Release: Vietfish 2026 Returns at Record Scale, Driving the “Green Transition” Toward the US$12 Billion Export Target

 |  10:01 17/08/2026

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.

Beyond headline growth: VASEP’s Q2/2026 Report maps the next moves in Vietnam’s seafood trade

 |  09:28 14/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC