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.

Forum discusses developing agricultural products’ labels, brands

Developing chains of agricultural products in tandem with building labels and brand names was the focus of discussion at a forum in the central province of Quang Nam on April 28.

The event was jointly organised by the National Centre for Agriculture Encouragement and the Quang Nam provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to the Department of Processing and Trade of Agricultural Products under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam is among leading agricultural producers in the world.

The agricultural sector has eight products earning over one billion USD from exports, namely coffee, rubber, rice, aquatic products, cashew nuts, peppers, fruits and vegetables, wood and wood products.

Numerous agricultural products have been available at home and abroad with labels and geographical indicators.

However, 90 percent of Vietnam’s agricultural exports are crude products, resulting in lower values, said Vo Thi Ly, Deputy Director of the Authority.

Besides, over 80 percent of the nation’s agricultural products are yet to have brands, logos, labels. Most of them are shipped abroad under foreign brand names, Ly added, stressing that it is a major disadvantage for domestic farm produce.

Acting Director of the National Centre for Agriculture Encouragement Tran Van Khoi pointed to the trend in recent years towards the development of agricultural production chains based on connection among farmers, cooperatives and enterprises, and the formation of large zones specialized in key crops. 

However, Vietnam’s agricultural production overall remains small-scaled, limiting the sector’s competitive capacity, according to Khai. 

He noted that while the free trade agreements Vietnam have signed help expand agricultural export markets, they also bring increasing competition.

Khai underlined the strategic need for promoting and increasing competitiveness for Vietnamese agricultural products, including developing brands and securing their foothold on both the domestic and overseas markets.

Participants pointed to difficulties hindering the building of brand names for agricultural products, such as the lack of a master plan to guide localities, enterprises; changing regulation and poor market research.  

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development aims to develop a programme on developing brands for key agricultural products by 2020, with immediate priority given to mangoes, dragon fruits, tea, coffee and tra fish.

Source: VNA


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