Pangasius industry aims for sustainable growth

Photo caption — Currently, the price of raw pangasius fish in An Giang and the Mekong Delta provinces fluctuates around 29,000 VND/kg, so fish farmers have a profit of at least 3,000 VND/kg, depending on the scale and farming method.

Mr. Dau said that currently, businesses and traders are looking to buy pangasius fish of 2 sizes; in which, pangasius fish weighing over 1 kg/fish are priced from 30,000 - 31,000 VND/kg (depending on payment method); pangasius fish weighing under 1 kg/fish fluctuates at 29,000 VND/kg, bringing profits to farmers.

“It has been many years since the price of tra fish has remained stable at 29,000 - 30,000 VND/kg like it is now. After deducting costs, fish farmers make a good profit, so everyone is excited. Hopefully, the price of tra fish will continue to be stable so that farmers can feel secure in sticking with it for a long time,” Mr. Dau shared.

Nam Viet Joint Stock Company (located in My Thoi ward, An Giang province) is a pioneer in the country, producing pangasius using high-tech processes, with an area of 600 hectares, in Chau Phu commune, An Giang.

Mr. Doan Toi, General Director of Nam Viet Joint Stock Company, affirmed that complying with international procedures on water systems, ponds, farming techniques and fish processing plant systems costs a lot of money, but in return, farmed fish have less diseases, output increases by 3 - 5%, product quality improves and production costs are reduced... On average, each month, Nam Viet Joint Stock Company exports 320 - 350 containers to the world market.

According to Mr. Doan Toi, the export market for tra fish is showing positive signs, especially China and the US at the end of the year, causing the purchase price of raw tra fish in the country to increase. However, prices always fluctuate according to the market, tra fish farmers need to maintain stable output, ensure quality according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards... then profits will be higher, because they can sell at a good price," said Mr. Toi.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang province, in the first 9 months of 2025, the aquaculture industry of An Giang province recorded positive results; in which, pangasius continued to play a key role with an output of over 503.4 thousand tons, an increase of 5.62% over the same period. This growth mainly came from farming areas of enterprises with closed production chains, helping to optimize costs and increase profits.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang province, said that in early October 2025, the price of raw pangasius in An Giang and the Mekong Delta provinces remained high, fluctuating around 29,000 VND/kg, an increase of 2,000 - 3,000 VND/kg compared to the same period in 2024. With this price, fish farmers have a profit of at least 3,000 VND/kg, depending on the scale and farming method.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang province, Tran Thanh Hiep, the current pangasius farming area mostly belongs to large enterprises, with a closed system from breed, feed to processing and export, which contributes to ensuring stable output and quality for domestic and foreign markets.

By the end of September 2025, the total aquaculture output of the whole province (including brackish water shrimp, pangasius, sea cage fish, mollusks, sea crabs and other freshwater fish) reached more than 885,600 tons, reaching 113.1% of the plan, up 10.86% over the same period. Other types of fish alone reached more than 127,000 tons, up more than 22.42%.

With the current price of commercial pangasius, it ensures profits for businesses and fish farmers at the present time. However, prices always fluctuate according to the market, when demand is higher than supply, prices will increase, and vice versa, when supply exceeds demand, prices will plummet. Therefore, pangasius farmers need to be calm because the current price of commercial fish can be "virtual" and temporary, do not rush to import breeds, expand pond area without a contract with businesses to avoid unnecessary risks.

The Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of An Giang province recommends that farmers who want to avoid losses and succeed in raising tra fish need to carefully research the market, have connections or sign contracts with processing and export enterprises.

In addition, businesses and farmers need to promote the application of science and technology in the farming process to reduce costs; implement a closed process from breeding, farming, processing and exporting to stabilize the supply of goods. At the same time, focus on investing in deep processing, creating products with higher added value from pangasius, thereby contributing to improving the position and competitiveness of Vietnamese pangasius in the international market.

In 2025, the estimated output of aquaculture and fisheries in An Giang province will reach over 1,616.9 thousand tons (of which brackish water shrimp is 155.05 thousand tons; pangasius is 648.9 thousand tons; mollusk farming is 102.6 thousand tons, fish in cages at sea is 100 thousand tons; sea crab is 32.1 thousand tons, fish farming of all kinds is 320.1 thousand tons). It is expected that in 2025, the potential for aquaculture production will reach about 47,271 tons (of which mollusk is 1,500 tons, fish in cages at sea is 500 tons, tilapia is 35,695 tons, pangasius is 9,576 tons); aiming to reach over 9.2 million tons of aquatic products in the 2026-2030 period.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/nganh-hang-ca-tra-huong-den-tang-truong-ben-vung-20251015164641113.htm