Improving The Shrimp Industry's Competitiveness by Finding Solutions for Sustainable Development (26-05-2021)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development collaborated with the Can Tho City People's Committee to host a workshop on "Sustainable Destination" on April 14 in Can Tho City, as part of the Vietshrimp Aquaculture International Fair 2021. The workshop's aim was to find ground-breaking solutions for successful long-term growth and to boost Vietnam's brackish water sector's competitiveness.
Improving The Shrimp Industry's Competitiveness by Finding Solutions for Sustainable Development

Attending the seminar were leaders of the Directorate of Fisheries, units under the General Department of Fisheries, Department of Agricultural Product Processing and Market Development, Vietnam Association of Fisheries, Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sub-Department of Fisheries of Mekong Delta Provinces/Cities, Research Institutes, Universities, Experts, Scientists, Enterprises and People shrimp farming, together with press reporters to report on the workshop.

The workshop was presided over by Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of the General Department of Fisheries, and Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Association.

Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, speaking at the seminar, said that one of the key directions in the Vietnam Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030 is to gradually reduce capture fisheries production and increase aquaculture production, with shrimp being one of the objects that still has a lot of space and potential to boost productivity, production, and export value. As a result, the shrimp industry is regarded as the primary pillar, a strategic pillar that will play a critical role in the future growth of the fisheries sector.

The Mekong River Delta region has the advantage of natural favorable conditions for the development of the brackish water shrimp industry. In recent years, there has been increased focus, direction, and support from various divisions and levels in terms of tighter management, resulting in the best possible conditions for farmers to grow production. Plannings, projects, and schemes have had practical consequences, laying the groundwork for the introduction of policies and plans for the growth of the shrimp industry; the production establishment's farming expertise, technological, and professional skills have all improved significantly. In addition, in response to climate change, the government issued Resolution 120 / NQ-CP on the Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta, which emphasizes the position of the fisheries sector as a strategic axis of the economic sector in the Mekong Delta, taking shrimp to become key objects in the fisheries sector's development. This is a very important premise to further promote the development of aquaculture in general and brackish water shrimp farming in particular in the Mekong Delta in the coming time.

Shrimp farming's area and production have changed dramatically between 2010 and 2020. The current level of brackish water shrimp production has also risen significantly. There are high-tech shrimp processing areas in several places. Many localities, especially Bac Lieu, intend to raise high-tech shrimp on land ranging from 300 to 500 hectares.

Despite being severely impacted by drought, saltwater intrusion, and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the shrimp industry was able to sustain a remarkable growth rate and finish destination. By 2020, the total farming area will be 745,000 ha, the yield will be 930,000 tons (of which 900,000 tons will be cultured shrimp), and the export turnover will be about 3.78 billion dollars.

However, there are still some barriers to the production of brackish water shrimp in our country, such as declining farming infrastructure and a lack of investment to meet development needs. Broodstock is still mostly imported from overseas, and seed quality is inconsistent. Raw material and input rates are still high, resulting in high production costs, lowering shrimp products' competitiveness. Planning management still lacks strictness, and there are still threats of deforestation, water pollution, and epidemics. Countries continue to create trade barriers, rendering exports difficult.

Mr. Luan proposed that the delegates concentrate on breakthrough solutions such as policy creation and research and development solutions of high-quality shrimp seed sources, strictly manage raw materials, minimize production costs, increase added value, apply science and technology, and promote digital transformation into production in order for the shrimp industry to grow sustainably and boost its competitiveness to achieve the set goals. Focusing on high-tech and promoting supply chain linkage.

Mr. Le Van Quang, General Director of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, said that in 2020, Vietnam will have an advantage over rival countries due to greater control over Covid- 19. The major consuming markets, such as the United States, the European Union, and China, will prioritize buying shrimp from Vietnam. Although major shrimp-producing countries such as India, Ecuador, Thailand, and others have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, which has resulted in a reduction in production and transportation of products, as well as a decline in shrimp prices and slow stocking activities resulted in lower shrimp production. In addition, Vietnamese exporters have actively turned markets, taking advantage of chances produced by market shifts caused by Covid-19 translation, as well as chances received from other countries. EVFTA, CPTPP, as well as other new generation free trade agreements mean that Vietnamese shrimp exporting businesses can serve to a wide range of market groups. Minh Phu Hau Giang Seafood Joint Stock Company (Song Hau Industrial Park, Chau Thanh District, Hau Giang Province) has been exporting more than 160 tons of shrimp to potential markets such as the EU, the US and Japan since the beginning of 2021. This shipment is a good forecast signal for the export shrimp industry in 2021.

However, both domestic and international markets continue to provide challenges for Vietnam's shrimp goods. Currently, the cost of producing brackish water shrimp in Vietnam is still high as compared to other competitors; the quality of shrimp seed is not carefully monitored; the disease environment is potentially dangerous; and raw shrimp for processing has not fully fulfilled the demand. In addition, Furthermore, competitors such as India, Ecuador, and Thailand have approached the level of farming technology used in Vietnam, but at a cheaper cost of production. Mr. Quang emphasized that this necessitates breakthrough and dramatic solutions from managers, entrepreneurs, and farmers in order to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese shrimp in the shortest period possible.

Delegates at the conference also focused on exploring ideas for sustainable development and enhancing the shrimp industry's competitiveness, such as disease management from seed; Control the source of broodstock and broodstock, as well as broodstock imports; To expand the application of science and technology in production, digital transformation, and lower input costs in order to reduce production costs; To increase the use of advanced scientific and technological advances in production in order to boost production value. Encourage the production of chains and continue to work with connected agencies and units to remove trade obstacles and grow the market; Strengthen suggestions and guidance to localities and brackish water shrimp farmers to adopt effective technical measures to avoid illnesses, and to promptly notify authorities when diseases are detected so that timely actions can be taken to limit disease transmission.

Le Mai (theo tongcucthuysan.gov.vn)

 

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