Western goby fish prices increase, shortage near Tet

Ca Mau Due to high market demand before Tet and decreased output, each kilogram of goby fish from the Western region increased by about 50,000 VND, up to 150,000 VND.

Mr. Truong Lap Dinh, in Hamlet 5, Tan Thanh Commune, Ca Mau City, said that he and many other local goby fish farmers often raise fish to harvest them close to Tet, in order to sell them at a high price.

This year, he released fish at a lower density than previous years, due to the increase in the price of fish fry. He has just sold more than 4 tons of goby fish at 150,000 VND per kg, after deducting expenses, he still made a profit of more than 400 million VND.

Farmers in Tan Thanh commune harvest goby fish. Photo: An Minh — Farmers in Tan Thanh commune harvest goby fish. Photo: *An Minh*

In the whole province of Ca Mau, there are more than 50 households raising goby fish with an area of about 40 hectares. Of which, Tan Thanh commune, Ca Mau city has the largest area with more than 40 households raising fish, an area of more than 25 hectares. Normally, with a selling price of 90,000-100,000 VND per kg, for every 1,000 m2 of farming, farmers earn a profit of 40-50 million VND.

Goby fish are harvested after about 4 months of farming, reaching a size of 30-50 fish per kg. If the price is not good, farmers can raise them in the pond for a few more months.

Mr. Ho Quoc Trang, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Tan Thanh Commune, said that the price of commercial goby fish usually increases during the Lunar New Year due to people's demand to buy raw materials for drying. "This year, the output has decreased by about 30% because the price of the fish is too high," Mr. Trang said, adding that the closer to Tet, the more fish prices will increase.

According to traders and farmers, the high prices of commercial fish are due to the fact that fingerlings are now being exploited from the sea while production is decreasing. About four months ago, fingerlings started to skyrocket to 170 VND each but were very scarce. This has led many to choose low-density farming or other aquatic species, leading to the recent decline in production.

The goby is an omnivorous aquatic species, feeding on soil plankton, algae, organic debris and industrial feed. In the Western provinces, farmers can dig ponds or use shrimp ponds to rotate goby farming, with an area of 1,000-2,000 m2.

An Minh

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