GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam, with a coastline of over 3,260 kilometers (km) and more than 3,000 islands and islets scattered offshore, plus up to 2,860 rivers and estuaries, has been geographically endowed with ideal conditions for the thriving fishery sector which currently exists.

Great potential of fishery sector in Vietnam is embedded in water bodies of 1.700.000 ha in which 811.700 ha freshwater, 635.400 ha brackish waters and 125.700 ha coves and 300.000 - 400.000 ha wetland areas might be employed for aquaculture development.

The Mekong River Delta in the south and the Red River Delta in the north have been used for wild catch fishing as well as extensive fish farming.

Shrimp and pangasius mostly farmed in the Mekong River Delta, in which, shrimp farmes located in coastal provinces such as Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Ben Tre..

Pangasius farming is developing in many provinces in Mekong River Delta such as Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, An Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh....

Production in the fishery sector grew at an average rate of 7.05% from 1991 to 2000, and 10% from 2001 to now. Vietnamese fisheries production increased steadily YoY. Aquaculture output tent to sharply rise while capture ouput tend to slow down. In 2023, aquaculture occupied 59%, fishing output occupied 41%. From 2018-2023, ratio of fishing output has decreased from 46% to 41% of total fishery production in Vietnam. In 2023, total aquaculture area was 5.408 million tons, up 3.5%; total fishing output was 3.861 million tons, equal to 2022.

A new Vietnam action plan for agriculture

(vasep.com.vn) Action plans for developing the agricultural and fishery product processing industry to implement Vietnam’s industrialization strategy within the Vietnam-Japan cooperation framework by 2020 with a vision for 2030 has been signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung. Five typical items namely rubber, coffee, tea, shrimp and fruit were selected.

According to this plan, agricultural and fishery product processing industry accounts for 20% of Vietnam industrial output value and maintain this rate over the last 10 years. Meanwhile, Euromonitor International forecast that global Packaged Food Market which valued US$860 billion in 2010 will boost to US$ 1,000 billion USD in 2015. This reveals development potential of agricultural and fishery product processing industry in Vietnam.  Most of Vietnam products are semi processed.  Deep processed technology is still limited.

Processing industry has the most significant number of companies. Up to 2012, there have been 6,000 agricultural- fishery product processors, which is a noteworthy number.

Despite limitations, according to the plan, Vietnam is oriented to be a high quality agricultural fishery producer by 2020 by the Government.

The country will target towards becoming a high quality agricultural product producer for exports and domestic consumption and define 3-5 agricultural and fishery products that can promote the image of Vietnamese trademark. Accordingly, typical items -rubber, coffee, tea, shrimp and fruit & vegetables- will be targeted.

Four strategies are aimed: constant and high quality supplies, developing deep process, enhancing goods circulations, improving marketing activities and promoting trademarks.

In terms of developing deep processed technology, management bodies promote joint co-operations in food processing between Japanese companies and Vietnam partners. Closed production with management systems with Japanese or international standards must be applied, urge for Japanese technical transfers for aquacultural and fishery process, package and storage.

Regarding to agricultural and fishery process development, the plan include competence enhancement for R&D centers; improving circulation of goods  and distribution efficiency for small companies, forming goods movement and distribution facilities (auction, semi process at wholesale markets, distribution channels to end-users), supporting marketing activities and brand making; building demo park for high technological agricultural process, signing mutual agreements on recognizing agricultural and fishery quality test results between Vietnam and importing markets. 


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