(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, the total brackish water shrimp farming area in Ca Mau reached 278,600 hectares, with a shrimp output of 242,000 tons. This output achieved 99.59% of the set target and marked a 4.57% increase compared to the same period last year. The average shrimp yield attained 869 kilograms per hectare per year, representing a 38 kilograms per hectare per year increase compared to 2023. Shrimp export turnover reached USD 1.12 billion, positioning Ca Mau amongst the nation's leading localities in this sector.
Over numerous years, in response to the evolving climate change scenario, the province has proactively restructured its production framework, integrating various novel technologies into the shrimp industry. To date, improved extensive shrimp farming encompasses 188,000 hectares, yielding an average productivity ranging from 500 to 550 kilograms per hectare per year, with certain households achieving 600 to 700 kilograms per hectare per year utilizing two-stage culture protocols. Super-intensive shrimp farming accounts for 5,025 hectares, achieving an average yield of 20.5 tons per hectare per year. Intensive shrimp farming spans 1,509 hectares, with yields ranging from 5 to 8 tons per hectare per year. Integrated extensive shrimp farming covers over 84,000 hectares, realizing an average productivity of 300 to 350 kilograms per hectare per year. Notably, the province has emphasized the expansion of certified shrimp farming areas to cater to export demands. Currently, there are nine internationally recognized certifications, including ASC, B.A.P, EU Organic, Canada Organic, and numerous others. The total certified shrimp area approximates 22,590 hectares, predominantly encompassing mangrove shrimp and rice-shrimp systems.
To sustain its leading position as a domestic and international shrimp production and export hub, the province has considerable endeavors remaining for 2025.
Accordingly, the developmental orientation will prioritize super-intensive and intensive shrimp farming in regions with favorable natural conditions, alongside synchronized infrastructure investments to augment production scale, thereby fulfilling export processing demands. Production reorganization will be pursued through cooperative and linkage models within major production zones, ensuring product origin traceability and enhancing the competitive capacity of Ca Mau shrimp in the global marketplace.
Concurrently, the continued integration of scientific and technological advancements into production is crucial, aiming to elevate shrimp quality, reduce production costs, and transition towards the elimination of chemical and antibiotic usage throughout the culture cycle. The development of value-added products from shrimp processing by-products will be fostered, contributing to environmental protection and augmenting production value. Market diversification and the establishment of the Ca Mau shrimp brand in both domestic and international markets will be pursued, in conjunction with bolstering supporting industries to underpin the sustainable advancement of the shrimp sector.