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) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
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