Developing geographical indications for Binh Thuan shrimp.

Việt Nam•20/09/2023

This is good news for businesses, establishments, and individuals involved in the production and farming of shrimp larvae and adult shrimp in the province. Once the project "Building, managing, and developing geographical indications for Binh Thuan shrimp products" is completed, it will contribute to enhancing the value of Binh Thuan shrimp products, improving the lives of local people, and promoting socio -economic development in Binh Thuan province.

Why are shrimp fry from Binh Thuan so famous?

In Binh Thuan, shrimp seed production began in 1985 and entered the Southern market in the 1990s, when brackish water shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta was just starting to develop. According to Mr. Le Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the Binh Thuan Shrimp Association, surveys of households in key shrimp farming areas such as Ca Mau , Soc Trang, Kien Giang, and Ben Tre... most confirmed that the quality of shrimp seeds produced in Binh Thuan has a higher survival rate and grows faster than those from other places. Currently, in addition to the Western market, Binh Thuan shrimp seeds have spread to shrimp farming areas in Central and Northern Vietnam. Annually, about 80% of Binh Thuan's shrimp seed production is sold to provinces in the South and Central regions, with the remainder going to Northern provinces.

To clarify the above question, Dr. Nguyen Tan Sy - Deputy Director of the Institute of Aquaculture, Nha Trang University of Fisheries, explained: “Binh Thuan is a region with favorable natural conditions for developing the aquaculture industry, especially shrimp seed production. Binh Thuan is one of the five rare regions in the world with high-nutrient upwelling water, stable salinity, and no freshwater from rivers flowing into the sea, thus rich in minerals. The mineral composition in the water has a reasonable ratio, very suitable for raising shrimp seeds, helping the shrimp develop more outstandingly compared to other localities. Not only that, the farming area here has many coral reefs that help filter seawater. Clean water is an important factor for successful shrimp seed farming. In particular, the farmed shrimp will have a beautiful color and a much sweeter taste than shrimp raised in other provinces and cities. That is why large shrimp farming areas in the Mekong Delta provinces still come to Binh Thuan to buy shrimp seeds, even though these provinces also have businesses supplying seeds.”

The piglets produced in Binh Thuan have a higher survival rate compared to those from other places.

For the compelling reasons mentioned above, the production and consumption of shrimp larvae in recent years has reached 25.3 billion post-larvae/148 facilities, accounting for 20% of the country's total shrimp larvae production. Currently, the province has 148 enterprises and facilities with 730 shrimp larvae production farms. Shrimp larvae production in Binh Thuan mainly focuses on two species: tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp. Over time, the capacity and scale of the hatcheries have continuously increased as enterprises and shrimp larvae production facilities prioritize upgrading and applying advanced scientific techniques. Many shrimp larvae production facilities in the province are large-scale, investing in modern equipment and advanced technical processes, meeting international quality standards in shrimp larvae production.

Shrimp hatcheries have focused on upgrading and applying advanced scientific techniques.

It is necessary to protect geographical indications.

Mr. Le Thanh Son – Vice Chairman of the Binh Thuan Shrimp Association, said: “To maintain and expand the consumption market, most establishments and businesses in the province are very interested in investing in technology for producing high-quality, disease-resistant shrimp larvae without using antibiotics. Regarding broodstock, Viet Uc Aquatic Products Joint Stock Company is a pioneer in successfully researching and producing its own broodstock, which is traceable, has a high survival rate, and is resistant and adaptable to local soil conditions, no longer depending on imports from countries like the US, Thailand, and Singapore…”

Shrimp larvae from Binh Thuan have also been identified as a key advantageous product.

Thus, the self-sufficiency in broodstock shrimp further affirms the advantages of Binh Thuan province's shrimp seed production industry in the South Central region and the whole country. Binh Thuan shrimp seeds have also been identified as a key product serving the strategic goals for the development of Vietnam's shrimp industry by 2025, according to Decision No. 79 dated January 18, 2018, of the Prime Minister.

Dr. Nguyen Tan Sy, Deputy Director of the Institute of Aquaculture, analyzed the reasons why shrimp larvae produced in Binh Thuan are superior to those from other places.

At the recent conference on "Managing and Developing Geographical Indications for Binh Thuan Shrimp Products," Ms. Mai Thanh Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, emphasized: "Protecting shrimp products through geographical indications will create a foundation for better quality management of Binh Thuan shrimp products, contributing to expanding production areas and creating opportunities for organizations and individuals involved in shrimp farming and trading in Binh Thuan province to benefit more from the brand value of Binh Thuan shrimp. Furthermore, Binh Thuan is a province with great tourism potential. Combining this with the protection of Binh Thuan shrimp products through geographical indications will not only enhance the reputation and value of the product but also attract investment and promote tourism development in Binh Thuan."

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