Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Luong Le Phuong said the government will take steps to alleviate the difficulties facing shrimp and catfish breeders and to promote the sector.

 

Salt water intrusion, caused by climate change and rising sea levels, is the foremost problem adversely impacting shrimp and catfish breeding. The irrigation department, for example, has brought fresh water to dilute breeding ponds with high salt water intrusion, Luong said.

 

Competition is another important issue as many breeders are selling products at low prices, attempting to undercut their competitors.

 

While it is not reasonable to regulate an export ceiling price at the present time, the problem lies in the interests of the entire aquaculture industry, he said. The ministry has called on all enterprises to not dump their products by taking specific measures against violators.

 

However, it is essential to regulate a ceiling price in the long term, Luong said, adding that it should be flexible and easy to apply because prices in each market are different.

 

Also, the ministry is asking banks to undertake specific measures to enable enterprises and individuals involved in fish breeding to access credit and maintain production.

 

Vietnam earned US$1.6 billion from seafood exports in the first five months of the year, an increase of 17% over the same period last year. This year's target of US$4 billion will likely be attainable as Vietnam has focused on key exports markets in Europe, the US, Japan and Russia, he added.