Ca Mau promotes value chain linkage, raising the level of crab export industry

Ca Mau Ca Mau organized a conference on linking the crab production and consumption chain to evaluate the crab industry and orient the construction of value chains and expand export markets.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Trong Linh .

Within the framework of the activities of the Ca Mau Crab Festival - 2nd time in 2025 and the event "Hello Ca Mau", on November 17, the People's Committee of Ca Mau province organized a conference "Linking the production chain - consumption of crab products in Ca Mau province in 2025". The event aims to assess the development of the crab industry in recent times and orient the construction of a sustainable value chain in the coming period.

The conference was attended by Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee Le Van Su, Chairman of Vietnam Fisheries Association Nguyen Viet Thang, representatives of departments, branches, enterprises, organizations associated with crab production and consumption in the province and international partners from China.

Strategic industry with output of more than 36,500 tons/year

Ca Mau is currently the locality with the largest brackish water aquaculture area in the country, in which the crab industry is increasingly asserting its strategic role. The whole province has more than 365,000 hectares of crab farming, with an output of about 36,500 tons/year, with a strong trend of developing ecological and integrated farming models.

During the period 2016 - 2025, the area and output of crab farming in Ca Mau province have grown significantly. In particular, about 20,000 hectares of combined crab and shrimp farming have achieved international certifications such as Naturland, ASC, EU Organic..., supplying nearly 2,000 tons/year of standard ecological products.

Delegates discussed and evaluated difficulties in crab production and consumption, and proposed many solutions to promote the development of the crab industry in a modern, synchronous and sustainable direction. Photo: Trong Linh.

Ca Mau province has 70 crab breeding farms with a designed capacity of 1.3 billion crabs/year, with an estimated output of 1.1 billion crabs in 2025, enough to meet the province's farming needs. The farming models are diverse, from improved extensive farming, intensive farming, semi-intensive farming to the application of high-value plastic box technology for crab farming.

However, the crab industry still faces many difficulties such as small-scale production, low productivity, limited application of science and technology, and lack of sustainable links between farmers and businesses. The processing system is mainly small-scale, with few deeply processed products, and the consumption market is mainly domestic.

Strengthening quality control, building value chain

At the conference, delegates discussed and evaluated the difficulties in crab production and consumption, and proposed many solutions to promote the development of the crab industry in a modern direction. Priority was given to developing the production of high-value goods, strengthening quality control throughout the value chain, improving traceability, developing brands and promoting trade and expanding export markets in a stable and sustainable manner.

Within the framework of the conference, representatives of buyers and businesses had in-depth discussions on technical standards, purchasing conditions, logistics and supply capacity to find a suitable linkage model.

Ca Mau crabs are labeled with origin. Photo: Trong Linh .

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the province currently has about 380,000 hectares of crab farming, with an average output of 40,000 tons/year, contributing to creating sustainable livelihoods for tens of thousands of coastal households. However, crab products are still mainly consumed domestically or exported through intermediaries, and logistics for live crabs is still weak. The main enterprises organizing the chain are not strong; traceability and quality standards are still being improved.

The above limitations require Ca Mau province to step up trade promotion, expand export markets, especially targeting potential markets such as China, Korea, Singapore... especially the Chinese market, which accounts for more than 70% of export output.

China wants to promote cooperation

Mr. Pho Man, Head of the border branch of Guangxi Certification and Inspection Company (China) said that his unit is the representative agency of the Chinese government in controlling the quality of imported goods. The demand for Vietnamese crab in China is very large, especially Ca Mau crab.

Mr. Man proposed that Ca Mau should study the establishment of a quality control unit right in the locality, in order to shorten customs clearance time, improve traceability and ensure product quality before exporting to the Chinese market. This is considered a solution to help increase the value of Ca Mau crabs in the international market.

The conference also witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, the Vietnam Fisheries Association and a partner from China. Photo: Trong Linh .

Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee Le Van Su emphasized that the conference fully recognized the difficulties and challenges of the crab industry, and at the same time agreed on many important contents towards building a sustainable value chain.

He assigned the Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture and Environment to act as the focal point to connect with partners, implement certification, promote trade and link consumption in the coming time.

The Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Province suggested that enterprises and cooperatives proactively sign long-term cooperation contracts and promote investment in deep processing to increase product value. Crab farmers need to participate in cooperation models, produce according to safe processes, apply new techniques and ensure traceability.

Mr. Le Van Su affirmed that Ca Mau always accompanies businesses and people, creates a favorable investment environment, promotes increasingly effective linkage chains. With the spirit of cooperation and high determination, Ca Mau crab will continue to affirm its position, expand the market, contribute to increasing people's income and developing the local economy sustainably.

The conference also witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, the Vietnam Fisheries Association and a partner from China. This is an important initial step, creating a foundation to connect the links in the production - consumption chain, aiming to build the Ca Mau crab industry to meet high quality standards, stability and sustainable development.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ca-mau-thuc-day-lien-ket-chuoi-gia-tri-nang-tam-nganh-hang-cua-xuat-ngoai-d784810.html