Market expansion
In 2018, provincial frozen tra fish products were exported to 150 countries and territories, contributing to bring over US $ 2.1 billion to the country. That was the year that Vietnamese tra fish industry recovered and flourished over the past 20 years. In 2018, the price of tra fish material was sometimes up to 36,000 VND / kg, farmers had profit of nearly 10,000 VND / kg, which was unprecedented in the history of Vietnamese tra fish industry. The lack of breeding stock has pushed the price of tra fish raw material to the extreme. This was an opportunity for tra fish businesses.
The results was successful. Most of the import markets have increased import tra fish prices. In the US market, frozen tra fish fillets exported was at 5-6 USD / kg, South America was 3.5 - 3.6 USD / kg, China from 3.6 to 4.3 USD / kg. In general, export prices in 2018 in all markets increased (at least 1 USD / kg), which facilitated the tra fish industry in 2019 and the following years. “In 2018, the US market surpassed the Chinese market, becoming the largest tra fish import market in the world, valued at over US $ 525 million, up 57.7%. Next was the Chinese market with the second position with turnover of more than US $ 505 million, up by 28.9%. The third was the European Union (EU), reaching more than US $ 231 million, up 19.1%; ASEAN reached more than US $ 194 million, an increase of 43.1% compared to 2017. Exports to markets grew steadily, indicating that Vietnam's tra fish fillet products are increasingly favored by the market. This is the foundation for the development of tra fish industry in 2019 and the following years”- Dr. Vo Hung Dung, Permanent Vice President of Vietnam Pangasius Association analyzed.
The market is expanding, in addition to the improved quality of products, marketing of products is promoted such as more investment in models and packaging was done, etc. Another important reason that boosting export of tra fish to the US market in 2018 is the US-China trade war. On 6th July, 2018, the US began to apply 25% tax rate with 818 imported goods from China worth US $ 34 billion. Shortly thereafter, the US announced the next taxation plan aimed at another US $ 16 billion worth of goods from China with 284 items. The US-China trade war broke out, most US businesses specializing in importing tilapia from China turned to import tra fish. Thus, Vietnamese businesses benefited from this war, which pushed the US market to become the world's largest tra fish importer.
Quality improved
“In 2019, tra fish exporters set a lot of expectations. In addition to the export market, another factor that makes us expect a lot is bringing science - technology and technology into production to improve product quality, minimize production costs, increase product’s competitiveness. Taking advantages of technological factors, although other countries such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, etc. develop catfish farming, we are confident that our products will dominate the market”- Chairman of the Council Administration and General Director of Nam Viet Group, Mr. Doan Toi affirmed.
The technology element Mr. Doan Toi referred to was two inventions: nano-aerosol technology and nanotechnology Bioreactor (Bakture). These two technologies are the solution to help thoroughly treat the environmental pollution in tra fish farming ponds in particular and the ecological environment in the Mekong Delta in general. According to Dr. Takeba Akira, advisor of Trade Promotion - Environment Organization of Japan, Bioreactor technology has many outstanding advantages such as creating dissolved oxygen in water, maintaining habitat for fishes, aquatic plants in the water. Nanotechnology Bioreactor combined with nano aeration technology will reduce up to 70% of sludge (over time), helping farmers reduce the cost of dredging sludge by manual method. Because of the ability of the oxygen source to dissipate greatly, the nano Bioreactor will help increase the survival rate and density of fish in the pond, thereby giving economic efficiency many times higher than the previous traditional farming method.
"Tra fish farmers applying nano aeration technology and Bioreactor technology will increase the yield and raising density by 2-3 times (on the same farming area), without discharging polluted water in the pond. Contamination into the environment, thereby avoiding the ecological environment pollution as before. Fish raised by these two technologies will have very good quality, fragrant meat, attracting consumers to use the product”- Dr. Takeba Akira said.
Huong Tra (source: vasep.com.vn)