Representatives of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) put forward several proposals at a meeting with committee officials held in Can Tho City, seeking ways to help the fisheries sector recover and meet its export potential.
VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said at the meeting that in the first nine months of the year, over 600 enterprises involved in seafood exports recorded a combined export value of more than US$4.5 billion, a modest increase of 4.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year.
The export growth was not as much as expected, Hoe said, adding, "the main reason is that both farmers and processors are facing many difficulties, including a serious shortage of capital, raw materials and markets."
Of these, capital shortage is the biggest problem since it seriously affects the entire fishery industry's business and production activities, he said.
The Government and the central bank have helped with several measures including lower interest rates and restructuring of old debts, but very few farmers and enterprises have benefited from them, he added.
In the first six months of this year, 40,000ha of shrimp ponds, accounting for 6.49 per cent of the total area in the Cuu Long (
To continue farming after suffering such losses, farmers and small and medium enterprises really need soft loans from the banks.
However, most of them are unable to meet the strict requirements imposed by banks, including not having any bad debt, having feasible business projects, and assets used as collateral.
Complicated lending procedures are also a part of the problem.
For instance, farmers are asked to show sales and purchase invoices before a loan agreement can be signed, while Vietnamese farmers typically engage in "hand-to-hand selling and buying."
At present, the lending interest rates for borrowers in the fisheries industry have been cut to under 11 per cent per year, but this is still expensive for farmers, given their financial capacity. The rates are also higher than in many countries in the region, making Vietnamese seafood less competitive.
Hoe suggested that the South West Steering Committee petitions the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) to create conditions for farmers and enterprises involved in producing and processing seafood for export to get easier access to short-term loans in foreign currencies that carry low interest rates.
Nguyen Phong Quang, deputy head of the committee, agreed with Hoe's suggestion, saying it was a rational move considering the difficult situation that the industry is facing.
"The committee will make a proposal to the SBV asking it to delay application of the new circular that aims to tighten lending in foreign currencies by credit institutions until the end of 2013 so that seafood processors can access this cheap capital channel," said Quang.
The central bank on March 8 had issued a circular under which foreign currency loans for importing goods and services would be given only if borrowers demonstrate they have sufficient foreign currency to repay the loans.
"Foreign currency loans now have an interest rate of only 4 per cent per year, much lower than the dong loans' 11 per cent," he said.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
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
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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