Aquaculture production in 2014 reaches 3,393 thousand MT
(vasep.com.vn) In 2014, Mekong Delta pangasius farms, which cover the total area of over 5,500 hectares, produced 1,116 MT of fish. After a drop in 2013, the area found its upturn from October 2014. The area and production has recovered to the level of 2013 year-end. Dong Thap and An Giang were provinces with largest amount produced, slightly lower, by 2% and 8%, respectively, comparing to in 2013. Hau Giang was the only province in Mekong Delta to reduce the farming area by 12% but production increased significantly, reaching 70,905 MT, reporting an increase of 102% compared to the same period in 2013.
Area and production of black tiger shrimp in Mekong Delta in 2014 was down from the previous year. Farming area in 2014 was estimated at 537 thousand hectares, down 4% year on year. Production was approximately 248 thousand MT, down 3%. Area and output in Soc Trang decreased. The farming area fell by 35% and production was down by 28%, as many farmers switched to rearing whiteleg shrimp.
Whiteleg shrimp, having shorter growing period, being more adaptive to the environment and more resistant to diseases, became a preferred shrimp type for farmers. The area of whiteleg shrimp in Mekong Delta in 2014 was estimated at 67 thousand hectares, up 68% year- on – year while production was estimated at 245 thousand MT, up 53%. Soc Trang and Ben Tre are provinces with the largest output, at 66,400 MT and 42,200 MT, respectively, up 31% year on year.
Aquaculture output in December 2014 was estimated at 348 thousand MT, up 14.5% year- on - year. Therefore, accumulated total aquaculture production in 2014 reached 3,393 thousand MT, up 5.5% year-on- year.