The conference was attended by representatives from MARD, WWF, Oxfam Novib and VINAFIS’ International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability.
Currently, large-scale farms of commercial pangasius owned by fish processors, big farmers and farmers linked closely with processing plants represented a major part in pangasius production chain. To improve the quality and prestige of Vietnam fish products and enhance export to global markets, many companies and fish farmers actively get to know and comply with international quality standards such as GlobalGAP, BMP, SQF 1000CM…However, small holders have an important role in pangasius production, they provided 30 – 40% of raw fish for processing in 2011. This is also the group which meets many difficulties in applying aquaculture standards due to traditional and spontaneous farming activities following market’s demand.
The study is based on standards set by Pangasius Aquaculture Dialogue (PAD) and mainly focuses on three out of seven standards, including “legal framework”, “water pollution and waste management” and “social responsibility/user conflicts”.
MCD’s objective is to figure out the capacity to apply social and environmental standards of small-scale farms; then suggest measures to help farmers solve problems; and raise their awareness on Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP).
At the conference, representatives of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of An Giang and Dong Thap provinces highlighted challenges that confront local small farmers: declining infrastructure and backward farming techniques; difficulties in upgrading to meet farming requirements due to small superficies; banks’ limited credits leading to serious lack of money to keep business; rising input costs and volatile prices; duplicative and inappropriate policies on control of feed, drugs and food safety; lack of farmers’ awareness on high quality farmed-pangasius.
MCD shows that small farms in An Giang and Dong Thap have low capacity of applying social and environmental standards. Therefore, to help them get out of difficulties, it is necessary to join efforts of all stakeholders in pangasius production chain, government’s favorable policies and changes of fish farmers themselves.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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