(vasep.com.vn) In 2011, seafood exports in the Mekong River Delta provinces was estimated to touch US$4 billion, up 27 percent over 2010.
Seafood products mainly exported to 29 countries from North America, EU, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
Pangasius exports reached more than 600,000 MT with the export turnover of US$1.7 billion, exports of shrimp hit 190,000 MT with value of US$1.8 billion. Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang provinces were the leading exporters of black tiger shrimp. The largest pangasius exporters were located in An Giang, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Can Tho provinces.
In 2012, Mekong River Delta provinces will use 762,000 hectares to farm salt, brackish and fresh water fish in which 582,000 hectares for black tiger shrimp farming, 12,000 hectares for whiteleg shrimp farming, ten thousand hectares for scampi, freshwater finfish, mollusk farming.
In 2011, aquaculture production in the Mekong Delta touched 2.2 million MT, up over 2010 (252,000 MT). The fish production can be used to process for exporting and domestic consumption.
Coastal provinces in the Mekong Delta will improve irrigation system for fish farming in general and black tiger shrimp in particular. The provinces strictly control seed supply, minimize risks caused by low quality seed.
To reach the target for 2012, the provinces in the Delta transfer technical advances in aquaculture to concentrated farming areas, sponsor farmers to renovate farming ponds, purchase seed and feed. Local authorities guide and support local fish farmers in farming under sustainable standards (GAP and CoC), encouraging seafood enterprises to renovate technologies to diversify their products.
Provinces coordinating with relevant sectors solve problems and difficultied in export, supply necessary market information, quality standards, food hygiene and safety to fish farmers and processors. These measures contributed to push up seafood exports to rise both in volume and value.