Off-season, raw shrimp prices increase dramatically

A shortage of raw shrimp is causing difficulties for export processing factories - Photo: KHAC TAM

On September 20th, Mr. Vo Van Phuc, General Director of Vietnam Clean Seafood Joint Stock Company, stated that the price of raw shrimp has increased sharply in recent days.

According to Mr. Phuc, compared to last month, the price of shrimp (30 pieces/kg) is currently around 180,000 VND/kg, an increase of 60,000 VND/kg. Shrimp (40 pieces/kg) is priced at 150,000 VND and (50 pieces/kg) at 130,000 VND, an increase of 20,000 - 40,000 VND/kg compared to last month.

According to Mr. Phuc, this is a "huge" increase after a long period of sharply declining shrimp prices.

Mr. Phuc explained that the sharp increase in shrimp prices in recent days is due to a shortage of raw materials. Processing plants are competing to buy shrimp to fulfill export orders for the last months of the year, driving prices up.

"Shrimp exports have faced difficulties recently. The bidding war and rising shrimp prices benefit farmers but will push processing plants into even more difficult situations," Mr. Phuc said.

Besides processing for export, Mr. Phuc's company also invests in modern shrimp farming, achieving very high productivity. However, according to him, shrimp farming is becoming increasingly unstable, especially at this time.

"In recent times, shrimp farming has been fraught with risks. Disease outbreaks have caused increasing losses, leading many to hesitate to start farming, resulting in a decrease in farming area. During this period, only experienced farmers dare to stock their ponds; otherwise, they risk losses due to disease outbreaks and unfavorable weather conditions," Mr. Phuc said.

Meanwhile, according to Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang province, shrimp farmers are very pleased with the current shrimp prices.

"Input costs have increased. With the current selling price of raw shrimp, only after deducting expenses can farmers ensure a profit and accumulate capital for reinvestment in the next season. Currently, farmers are actively taking care of their shrimp," Ms. Binh said.

Ms. Binh added that this year, Soc Trang province has cultivated shrimp on over 44,500 hectares, and has currently harvested nearly 27,000 hectares with a yield of over 130,000 tons.

"Currently, there are about 15,000 hectares of shrimp ponds, of which 64% are 30-60 days old, 30% are 60-90 days old, and the rest are over 90 days old. If conditions are favorable, there will be a supply of raw materials for export processing factories," Ms. Binh said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghich-mua-gia-tom-nguyen-lieu-tang-khung-20240920105827041.htm