(vasep.com.vn) In April 2014, Vietnam's fish production was estimated to hit 423,200 MT, up 3.3 percent year on year, according to General Statistics Office.
The aquaculture output reached 190,600 MT, surging 1.8 percent year-on-year. Of which, output of finfish got 143,900 MT (mainly pangasius), down 3 percent and shrimp production reached 34,400 MT, up 25.1 percent.
In the month, pangasius production decreased due to lower farming area. Dong Thap 33,800 MT, down 11.2 percent, An Giang 24,900 MT, down 2.4 percent and Vinh Long 8,340 MT, down 9.5 percent.
In term of shrimp farming, farmers continued to shift from farming black tiger shrimp to whiteleg shrimp due to its increased demand in domestic and export markets. Besides, whiteleg shrimp farming was given priority thanks to its short farming period, high productivity.
The capture production of the country in April was 232,600 MT, up 4.5 percent year on year thanks to favorable weather. Of which, the marine catch reached 222,600 MT, increasing 4.8 percent compared to last year.
In the first four months, fish production was estimated to gain 1,608,000 MT, up 3 percent year on year in which aquaculture output was 689,000 MT, up 0.2 percent and capture output hit 920,000 MT, up 5.3 percent. Out of total capture output, marine catch was 872,000 MT, up 5.6 percent.
However, tuna catch in the period decreased because of fishing method. Through April 2014, some provinces reported the decline in tuna output such as Binh Dinh 2,700 MT, down 18.4 percent; Phu Yen with 2,500 MT, down 32.4 percent.