Ca Mau will become a strong aquaculture center of the region.

CA MAU The 2nd Ca Mau Crab Festival in 2025 not only promotes the image and tourism but also honors the seafood industry, especially Ca Mau crab products.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Ca Mau Crab Festival - 2nd time in 2025” on the evening of November 16, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam affirmed that Ca Mau has full potential to become a strong seafood center of the region, in which crab products play a particularly important role in developing a green and sustainable economy.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam affirmed that Ca Mau has full potential to become a strong aquaculture center of the region. Photo: Pham Trung.

According to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, Ca Mau currently holds a particularly important position on the Vietnamese fisheries map. The province owns nearly 450,000 hectares of aquaculture, of which about 280,000 hectares are shrimp-crab-forest models and other forms of sustainable ecological farming.

For many years, Ca Mau has been the country's leader in brackish water shrimp production, and is also the locality with the largest crab farming area in Vietnam with more than 365,000 hectares, accounting for about 78% of the country's crab farming area. With a crab output of over 36,000 tons, equivalent to 53% of the country's output, Ca Mau is known as the "Crab Capital of Vietnam".

Ca Mau crab is not only famous for its firm, sweet meat but also has a protected geographical indication, which is a special competitive advantage in export and international brand development. The province's shrimp - crab - forest model has been recognized by many international organizations as a green economic model that not only creates sustainable livelihoods but also contributes to protecting the mangrove ecosystem - the "green shield" of the southernmost part of the country.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that for many years, aquaculture has always been one of Vietnam's key economic sectors, helping to create jobs for more than 5 million workers and making a great contribution to the GDP growth of the agricultural sector.

Ca Mau Crab Festival brings together more than 270 booths introducing OCOP products, creative start-up products, typical cuisine made from crab and regional products. Photo: Trong Linh.

Despite facing rising input costs, climate change and increasingly stringent international market requirements, Vietnam's seafood industry will still maintain impressive growth momentum in 2025. By the end of October 2025, the country's total seafood output reached 8.15 million tons, up 3.1% over the same period last year, with aquaculture alone contributing 4.879 million tons, up 5.1% over the same period. Export turnover reached 9.31 billion USD, up nearly 13%, demonstrating the strong recovery of the entire industry.

The 2nd Ca Mau Crab Festival in 2025 is held to honor the cultural and economic values ​​of local specialties, while creating a space for connection between businesses, cooperatives, farmers and tourists.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said that this is a significant event in promoting the Ca Mau crab brand, stimulating tourism, promoting investment and expanding international cooperation. The festival also contributes to arousing the spirit of self-reliance, self-reliance and aspiration of the people of Ca Mau.

The fastest crab catching contest took place on the evening of November 16. Photo: Trong Linh.

In order for the seafood industry in general and crab products in particular to develop more strongly, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam suggested that Ca Mau province focus on 5 key tasks:

Firstly, forming and developing chains linked with large corporations to develop production, promote, connect, and expand the export market for Ca Mau crab products. Developing a system of preliminary processing, preservation, and deep processing associated with the chain linking enterprises - cooperatives - farming households.

Second, replicate the shrimp - crab - forest model; apply international standards, improve traceability, ensure sustainable environmental and farming area management.

Third, promote the application of digital technology, electronic diaries, and traceability using QR codes to promote e-commerce in consumption and export.

Fourth, continue to develop OCOP products and local specialties; promote the combination of eco-tourism with culture and cuisine.

Fifth, coordination of planning, aquaculture management, environmental protection and improvement of seafood product quality will open up great opportunities to form regional-scale fisheries centers, optimize coastal infrastructure and manage IUU more effectively.

The shrimp-crab-forest model of Ca Mau province has been recognized by many international organizations as a green economic model. Photo: Trong Linh.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam affirmed: "The 2nd Ca Mau Crab Festival in 2025 will not only promote the image and boost tourism but also honor the special seafood industry, especially Ca Mau crab products. High-quality crab products, along with the sustainable shrimp - crab - forest model, will not only bring economic value and income to tens of thousands of households but also enhance the brand in the international market, contributing to the development of ecological, sustainable and globally competitive seafood product chains".

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam believes that with the spirit of innovation, creativity and opportunities from the merger of Ca Mau province with Bac Lieu, the new Ca Mau province will become a strong seafood center of the region, a place for effective seafood production, linking the economy, environment, and people's lives, while affirming the position of Ca Mau crab on the national and international seafood map.

The Ca Mau Crab Festival will take place from November 16 to 22, 2025, at the provincial level, aiming to raise the brand of Ca Mau crab in the domestic and international markets. At the same time, it will create a space for connecting trade, promoting investment, tourism and promoting startups and innovation.

The event included many rich activities such as the opening ceremony associated with the art program "Ca Mau Crab: Forest Scent - Sea Flavor" broadcast live on Ca Mau Radio and Television, Ho Chi Minh City and many provinces and cities; exhibition space, trade exhibition with more than 270 booths introducing OCOP products, creative startups, typical cuisine from crab and regional products.

Notably, the International Conference “Innovation for sustainable development of Vietnam's crab industry” gathered scientists, experts and businesses at home and abroad, creating a forum to exchange solutions for developing the crab industry in a sustainable and modern direction.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ca-mau-se-tro-thanh-trung-tam-thuy-san-manh-cua-khu-vuc-d784638.html