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.

Pangasius price hits peak in Mekong Delta

Pangasius fish price now reaches VND27,000 a kilogram, the highest peak for the last recent years in the Mekong Delta.

That was announced at a seminar in Can Tho city on Tuesday (March 28 2017)

Stating at the event, Dr. Vo Hung Dung, standing deputy chairman of Vietnam Pangasius Association, said despite the high price, it has been difficult to forecast price movement in the upcoming time.

According to him, the current price hike is because of sharp reduction in fry fish supply after losses in previous years have sent many farms transfer into breeding others. He advised breeders to sell fish amid this high price period.

The Vietnam Pangasius Association reported that farmers in the Mekong Delta bred 739 hectares of the fish and harvested 672 hectares in the first quarter this year with the output of 210,000 tons.

The current high price ensures big profit for farmers however authorized agencies have warned them against spreading farming to avoid risks from price fluctuation.

Pangasius price increase has started since the Tet holiday, creating the longest hike period for the last many years.

(Source: SaiGon GP)


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