A long tradition of manual processing, combined with the high cost of automation, has kept Vietnamese pangasius processors from investing in automation and other processing technologies that could be used to utilize raw materials more efficiently. This, however, is beginning to change.

(vasep.com.vn) During the past 5 years, this is the first time the U.S. has surpassed Japan to be the largest buyer of Vietnam shrimp. Shrimp sales to the U.S. so far have increased partly thanks to tremendous and continuous increase in shrimp price in the U.S. market in the past 9 months of 2013.

(pangasius-vietnam.com) In September 2013, the EU has passed the U.S. to be Vietnam’s biggest pangasius importer. If the region keeps the current growth in imports from Vietnam in the coming months, it will regain the first position among Vietnam’s pangasius buyers.

(vasep.com.vn) Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) is investing VND95 billion in the project of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) based on Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP).

(pangasius-vietnam.com.vn) Over 12 years of remarkable development, Vietnamese pangasius industry hit a record high of 1.3 million MT of fish production in 2012, 650-fold higher than that reported in 2000; pangasius exports increased by 692 times to US$1.8 billion. Export markets for pangasius products expanded rapidly to 136 countries and territories. Pangasius became the fastest-growing sector with a few areas for farming activities but high yield. Land for pangasius production was 6,000 hectares, equal to 1 percent of that for shrimp cultivation.

(vasep.com.vn) Through September 2013, Ca Mau Agricultural Products and Foodstuff Im-Ex Joint Stock Company (Agrimexco Ca Mau) exported 1,676 MT of shrimp of all products and varieties to earn back US$13.2 million, up 46 percent in volume and 53 percent in value compared to the compatible period of 2012.

The annual Groundfish Forum concluded today in Vienna, and as expected the global whitefish production estimates contained few surprises.

(vasep.com.vn) In October 2013, Vietnam plans to export US$689 million worth of seafood products, bringing its total seafood export turnover over the first 10 months to US$5.37 billion, up 6 percent year-on-year, according to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

(vasep.com.vn) Investment Commerce Fisheries Corporation (Incomfish - HOSE code: ICF) has recently issued its business report through September of 2013.

The creation of a global partnership to help ensure that the world’s fish supplies can keep pace with booming demand has received a green light from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) sub-committee on aquaculture.