Shrimp farming faces growing hurdles
Aquaculture remains a key economic sector for Tra Vinh, which has been investing heavily in infrastructure. The province has completed 11 key projects and plans to implement 14 more between 2026 and 2030, with a total investment of VND 1.9 trillion.
In 2024, Tra Vinh’s total aquaculture area reached 62,000 hectares. Of this, 33,331 hectares were used for brackish water shrimp, yielding 94,251 tons — including 84,547 tons of whiteleg shrimp and 9,704 tons of black tiger shrimp. The province ranked sixth in the Mekong Delta in both farming area and output, achieving 99.42% of its annual target, up 6.4% from 2023.
Tilapia is increasingly seen as a potential alternative in Tra Vinh's aquaculture sector. Since 2023, farmers have actively introduced tilapia into brackish water ponds previously used for shrimp. The model has shown strong development, particularly in polyculture systems.
A typical 1-hectare integrated farm can yield 200,000–300,000 shrimp and 600,000–700,000 tilapia, generating an estimated profit of VND 500 million per hectare. Of that, shrimp contributes around VND 150 million. Intensive tilapia monoculture can generate even higher profits—up to twice that of the mixed model.
Tilapia is easier to manage than shrimp, with lower water quality requirements. Additionally, water from tilapia ponds can be reused for shrimp farming after treatment, helping reduce costs and disease risks.
According to the Tra Vinh Sub-Department of Fisheries, 46 households are currently farming tilapia for export, covering a total area of 106 hectares, mainly in Cau Ngang, Tra Cu, and Chau Thanh districts. Cuu Long Seafood Joint Stock Company is also cultivating more than 60 hectares and expects to harvest around 500 tons in May alone.
However, local hatcheries still rely on seed stock from other provinces. To support sector expansion, there is an urgent need to develop high-quality tilapia broodstock production within Tra Vinh.
Nguyen Tri Thong, Deputy Director of the Cau Ngang Agricultural Technical Service Center, noted that export demand for tilapia is rising, leading to better market value. Still, farmers must be cautious when selecting seed sources and tilapia strains, as a wide variety of imported strains are now available.
To ensure long-term success, a closed value chain—from quality seed and feed supply to product marketing—is essential. Farmers are also encouraged to follow strict technical guidelines recommended by buyers and associated enterprises.
Tra Vinh is pushing for a modern, sustainable transformation of its agricultural sector. Diversifying farmed species is seen as a key strategy to improve economic efficiency, boost farmer incomes, and support the province's broader socio-economic development goals.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a range of synchronized solutions, from institutional improvements and strengthened communication to strict fleet control, Quang Ninh is stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in soon having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 closed with a remarkable milestone for Vietnam’s shrimp industry. According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s total shrimp export turnover in 2025 reached USD 4.6 billion, up 19% compared to 2024 and the highest level ever recorded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the 2026–2030 period, Quang Tri province aims to convert 771 fishing vessels currently engaged in activities detrimental to marine resources and the ecological environment to more environmentally friendly fishing practices or shift entirely to other economic sectors.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2025 recorded a breakthrough growth in Vietnam’s tilapia exports, in which the U.S market emerging as the primary growth driver. The total export turnover of Vietnamese tilapia to the United States reached $53.15 million during the year, surging 173% year-on-year and accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value, thereby making the U.S the largest import market for this commodity. Compared to 2024, tilapia exports to the U.S posted robust growth, reflecting the import demand as well as the ability of Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on market opportunities amidst volatile global competitive dynamics.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After two consecutive years of decline, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports rebounded in 2025. Export turnover of this product group exceeded USD 344 million, up 15% year-on-year compared with 2024 and 13% higher than 2023, although still below the peak level recorded in 2022.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry had left a strong mark with export turnover reaching nearly $11.3 billion, up 12.4% year-on-year. This robust performance reflects not only a rebound in global consumption demand but also the agile adaptation of domestic firms in navigating increasingly stringent trade barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
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