May 14, 2012

GlobalGAP certification for two Vietnamese pangasius hatcheries

Sai Gon-Mekong Fishery Company (SAMEFICO) has been granted certification by GlobalGAP for two of its pangasius hatcheries, a development which will boost the company's fish production chain from "farm to table," according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

SAMEFICO's two pangasius (tra fish) farms are sited in Cang Long district and Chau Thanh district in Tra Vinh province. These are the first GlobalGAP-certified pangasius hatcheries in the province.

GlobalGAP certification is an international standard assuring transparency of origin, quality and food safety throughout the supply chain of production for cultivation, animal husbandry and fish farming.

The certificate was additionally granted to two other pangasius hatcheries in the Mekong region.

SAMEFICO's hatcheries will supply 27.5 million seeds per year, of which the Cang Long-based hatchery provides 150 million fries and 15.5 million fingerlings per year.

The GlobalGAP certificate will allow SAMEFICO to guarantee its supply of high-quality and disease-free pangasius seed for its own fish farming operations. The company will also offer its fish seed to fish farmers within and outside the province.

SAMEFICO is also applying for Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard certification for its other commercial fish farms covering 20 hectares and expects to gain approval soon.

The company's fish farms send about 12,000 tonnes of raw material to its processing plant every year. The product then goes to markets including the US, Australia, the EU and some Asian and African countries, and the firm intends to speed up its exports to new markets in the near future.

SAMEFICO saw a turnover of more than VND400 billion (US$19.1 million) last year, up 36.14% from 2010. It hopes to reach 30% growth in 2012.