Conference "Summary of Pangasius Industry in 2024 and discussion of solutions to implement tasks in 2025"...

Reporting at the Conference, Director of the Department of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan said that the output of pangasius in 2024 is estimated to reach 1.67 million tons, equal to 99% compared to the same period in 2023. As of October 15, 2024, pangasius export turnover reached 1.56 billion USD, an increase of 8.9% over the same period in 2023, the whole year is estimated to reach 2 billion USD. However, the growth rate is uneven due to fierce competition from other countries and white fish products.

Nationwide, there are 1,920 facilities producing and raising pangasius fry, including 2 facilities producing and raising parent fish; 76 facilities producing breeds and 1,842 facilities raising pangasius fry to fingerlings; 61/76 facilities producing breeds and 97/1,842 facilities raising breeds have been granted Certificates of qualified facilities for production. In 2024, the competent authorities inspected and maintained production conditions for 38/61 breed production facilities and 81/97 facilities raising breeds.

According to the Department of Fisheries, the tra fish industry in the Mekong Delta is facing three major problems that need more effective solutions.

One is about the breed: the survival rate during the process of raising pangasius fry to fingerlings has not been significantly improved. The proportion of parent fish participating in reproduction originating from selected fish, improving genetic quality is not high (accounting for 25%). The proportion of pangasius breeding facilities that are inspected and granted certificates of eligibility is still low (accounting for only 5.3%).

Second, the cost of producing raw pangasius is increasing due to the high price of input materials such as feed, fuel, and labor costs. Vietnamese standards on wastewater quality for aquaculture still have many shortcomings and are not suitable for the reality of aquaculture production. Small-scale farms that have not participated in the chain have difficulty accessing information and implementing food safety regulations, have limited capital, and do not participate in the chain, and are gradually at risk of being eliminated and replaced by large companies.

Third, products and markets, value-added products still account for a small proportion, mainly frozen products. Furthermore, the dependence on a number of large export markets such as the US, China and some countries in the ASEAN bloc puts the pangasius industry at a disadvantage if these markets change their policies or have stricter requirements on quality and food safety. Lack of coordination and excessive competition among Vietnamese processors and exporters, along with uneven quality, has affected the reputation and brand of Vietnamese pangasius products.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien speaks at the conference

At the conference, industry management units, experts, processing enterprises and pangasius farmers were all interested in sustainable production, greening product value to enhance the brand, helping Vietnamese pangasius enter the most demanding markets such as the community of Muslim countries with more than 2 billion people.

Experts believe that when applying new technology synchronously in the farming process, each hectare of pangasius pond can reduce emissions by more than 800 tons of CO2 per year. Furthermore, with modern farming technology, the survival rate of fish will be improved, increasing production efficiency.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien emphasized that in order for the pangasius industry to continue to develop and take advantage of opportunities, it is necessary to focus on developing pangasius breeds in an industrial, large-scale direction, ensuring biosafety. At the same time, localities and enterprises are required to strictly manage the use of antibiotics in farming, and control the quality of breeding facilities. In particular, it is necessary to call for the development of a closed chain in the production, processing and consumption of pangasius, applying science and technology, optimizing the use of by-products to increase product value. In addition to traditional markets, finding and developing new markets, including the Islamic market with Halal certification, is also an important strategy.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien also proposed that Dong Thap province build a high-quality pangasius seed production area for the entire industry in the Mekong Delta region.

 

Source: https://www.mard.gov.vn/Pages/hoi-nghi-tong-ket-nganh-hang-ca-tra-nam-2024-va-ban-giai-phap-trien-khai-nhiem-vu-nam-2025--.aspx