According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyen Xuan Cuong, shrimp, with its high value, has been chosen as one of the important products for restructuring the seafood industry in particular and the agricultural industry in general.

In the context of climate change, saline intrusion and rising sea levels, many areas, especially the Cuu Long river delta, have become suitable for raising shrimp. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses a conference on developing shrimp sector
in Ca Mau province. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a shrimp processing facility of Minh Phu Seafood Group
in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. Photo: Thong Nhat
 

For the above reasons, addressing a conference of shrimp production held on February 6 in the southernmost province of Ca Mau which has the largest area for raising shrimp in the country, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that Vietnam has all the favourable conditions and advantages for developing the shrimp sector so it was necessary to have synchronous solutions to develop this sector, making a contribution to improving the living standards of farmers.

Vietnam has become the world’s third largest shrimp exporter and the world’s leading exporter of giant tiger prawns. Shrimp exports accounted for 50% of total seafood exports, with the value of nearly 3.15 billion US dollars in 2016.

The Prime Minister gave the target, vision and concrete solutions for this sector’s development. Accordingly, Vietnam, first of all the Cuu Long river delta, will become the world’s hub of the industry of farming and processing high-quality shrimp.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the shrimp industry to strive for an export value of 10 billion US dollars by 2025, develop important shrimp trademarks worldwide and develop the economy, society and environment sustainably.
The Prime Minister asked for support to develop the shrimp industry and suggested localities plan  areas for farming shrimp and restructure the agricultural sector responding to climate change. He also asked the State Bank of Vietnam to instruct commercial banks to provide sufficient capital for the industry, especially for high-tech breeding. He also reminded industry insiders to diversify export markets to avoid risks stemming from heavy reliance on a single market. 
 

Raising shrimp in Quang Nam province. Viet Cuong/VNP

Checking the quality of water on a shrimp raising pool. Photo: Kim Son/VNP



Checking regularly the quality of shrimp. Photo: Trinh Van Bo/VNP



At a laboratory of the shrimp sector. Photo: Kim Son/VNP



Harvesting shrimp. Photo: Kim Son/VNP
 

He affirmed that the government will stand side by side with businesses to protect their legitimate rights and benefits in price-dumping lawsuits, but will give severe punishments to violations damaging the prestige of Vietnamese shrimps.He assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to quickly design an action programme for the shrimp industry’s development.

The area for processing shrimp at Minh Phu Seafood Group. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP


Checking carefully the quality of shrimp before processing. Photo: Dang Kim Phuong/VNP


Processing line of shrimp for export at Minh Phu Seafood Group. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP


Shrimp processing is controlled following strict rules of food safety. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP



Vietnam's shrimp is high appreciated  in terms of  quality and food safety. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP

Processing line of peeled shrimp for export at Minh Phu Seafood Group. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP
 

 

Vietnam has now a total area of 694,645 ha for farming shrimp, including 600,399ha for giant tiger prawns and 94,246ha for white-legged shrimp. In 2016, the total output reached 657,282tonnes, of which giant tiger prawns accounted for 263,853tonnes and white-legged shrimp for 393,429tonnes. Vietnam exported shrimp to 90 markets, reaching over 3.15 billion US dollars. White-legged shrimp accounted for 62.1%, giant tiger prawns accounted for 29.5% and others account for 8.3%.   (Source: Directorate of Fisheries)

By VNA/VNP