February 12, 2011

Shrimp and tra fish prices in Vietnam show sharp increase

Following the Lunar New Year, tiger shrimp and tra fish prices have reached an all time high in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region.

Bac Lieu Province on February 9 saw 20 shrimps weighing one kilogram going for VND250,000-260,000 (US$12.83-13.34), 30 shrimps weighing one kilogram for VND190,000-200,000 (US$9.75-10.26) and 40 shrimps weighing a kilogram for VND150,000-160,000 (US$7.70-US$8.21).

Despite the soaring price hike, shrimp breeders had no shrimps to sell as now is not the season nor has the fish harvest been plentiful this year.

Meanwhile, the price of tra fish has risen continually in An Giang, Dong Thap and Vinh Long provinces.

Seafood companies currently buy fish directly from farmers at a minimum price of VND24,000 per kilogram, a price which has been the highest ever. The shortage of shrimp and tra fish has raised concern amongst seafood exporters as they face difficulty in completing their export orders.