In the first 10 months of 2024, Soc Trang's total aquaculture area reached 71,848 hectares, a modest increase of 0.18%. The estimated output for the year was 358,270 tons, marking a 3.28% rise compared to 2023. Brackish water shrimp, a key product, ranked third in Vietnam for both total area and yield in 2023, producing 206,334 tons across 53,511.3 hectares.
According to Mrs. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang, the fisheries sector has experienced rapid and robust growth. Seafood production increased from 68,514 tons in 2013 to 206,334 tons in 2023, with intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farming accounting for 90% of the area. However, this growth has led to challenges such as environmental degradation, disease outbreaks, and excessive chemical use. Additionally, a portion of the population still practices small-scale shrimp farming, often with limited technical knowledge and poor adherence to environmental regulations, contributing to water pollution.
A study by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment revealed that shrimp farming waste in Soc Trang is substantial, generating 4.81–6.93 million m³ of wastewater and 433.2–563.1 million m³ of sludge annually. If not properly managed, these waste products could cause significant environmental harm.
To address these issues, Soc Trang is focused on raising awareness and enhancing the capabilities of shrimp farmers in environmental protection. Efforts include various outreach initiatives and the development of effective farming models. Notably, the "Application of Biogas Systems for Wastewater Treatment in Brackish Water Shrimp Farming" project, led by ActionAid International in Vietnam, aims to implement 150 biogas systems in the province between 2024 and 2026. Additionally, the "Integrated Shrimp Farming" model by GIZ has been introduced at two sites in the province. These efforts are part of a broader strategy that includes the application of advanced farming methods such as the two- and three-phase farming process, VietGAP-compliant practices, biofloc technology, and integrated aquaculture. The use of high-density farming with plastic-lined ponds is also helping to boost shrimp yields per unit area.
The agriculture sector in Soc Trang is also prioritizing digital transformation, incorporating automated monitoring systems and feed optimization technologies to reduce labor and waste. The integration of nano-oxygen systems aims to improve environmental resilience in shrimp farming.
Deputy Director Quach Thi Thanh Binh emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, businesses, and communities in improving waste treatment, promoting sustainability, and enhancing water management. Other key priorities include the management and conservation of native aquatic species, better use of aquatic seed sources resilient to climate change, and strict regulation of imported species. Raising awareness among aquaculture farmers about environmental protection, legal compliance, and quality standards is also crucial for sustainable development.
Additionally, strengthening monitoring, inspections, and enforcement of environmental protection regulations in aquaculture, as well as supporting education, communication, research, and the transfer of sustainable aquaculture technologies, are essential steps toward long-term growth and sustainability.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
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