May 9, 2017

Vietnam aquaculture output up 2% in first 4 months

Vietnam's aquaculture output in the first four months reached 865,000 tonnes, up 2.1% year-on-year, including 335,300 tonnes of tra fish raised in the Mekong Delta region, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

It said tra fish price was increasing due to high demand. The MARD said the price of tra fish for processing in the Mekong Delta region was higher in April compared with the previous month, fluctuating between VND24,000 (US$1.06) and VND26,000 ($1.14) per kilogramme, while supply remained limited.

Brackish tiger prawn production in Mekong Delta localities was estimated at 55,600 tonnes, up 3.4% year-on-year, along with 32,400 tonnes of white-leg shrimps.

According to the Vietnam Fisheries Society, aquaculture contributed 3% to the country's gross domestic product in 2016.

Export turnover of aquatic products in the year increased 7.4% year-on-year, reaching us$7.05 billion.

The figure is expected to rise 5% this year, hitting $7.5 billion, 65% of which would come from aquaculture.