Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said: “In the world economy crisis, this result is a major effort. However, we also recognize the causes for the low production efficiency of Pangasius.”

In 2009, Vietnam Pangasius exported to 133 markets. In particular, the three leading markets have turnover of over 100 million USD is the U.S., Spain, Germany. Compared with 2008, we lost 14 old markets, and have more 17 new markets.

A squat market
The main export catfish product is still frozen fillet so the price is low. Compared with 2008, an export of Pangasius in 2009 is more significantly reduced in most markets. Even in some markets, the quantity increased but the turnover still decreased, such as in Spanish production increased 9%, but turnover decreased 0.6%.

The corresponding figures in Germany are up 0.2%, down 1.7%, China up 4.6% down 2.4%, Hong Kong up 3.9% down 3.3%. Only in the Russian market, the value increased, but not large, while output sharply decreased.

In the world market, Vietnam Pangasius still has strength, almost exclusively. However, in 2009 Catfish is told to be defamatory many places, some markets have banned (after reopening) or intend to ban as Russia, Ukraine.

Deputy Minister of MARD Luong Le Phuong compared, Norwegian salmon products are also almost exclusive, and they stay high value with export volume maintained at 800,000 tones per year. Mr. Phuong said, our Vietnam Pangasius, everyone can rear, process and trade, it creates a squat market, compete without caring that they may harm each other.

Reduced output, increased turnover
According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the whole country has 281 enterprises exporting catfish, of which only about 100 enterprises have processing factories.

Currently, it is difficult for the Tra catfish farmer to make profit 10% of sales. MARD said that we strive for the farmers have profit at least 30% as many other agricultural products.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said, when he went abroad to do business, he penetrated that spontaneous business get the great harm, sometimes only small batch of bad quality of a business do, it makes all Pangasius products are belittled.

2009 also marked the year the government agency has the focus to a strategic product is Tra catfish. MARD and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce led missions to negotiate about Pangasius market in the U.S., EU, Russia and Ukraine, Poland.

MARD established the operating of pangasius exports to Russia to negotiate proactively when it declared suspension of importing pangasius (on 20-12-2008). After that, Russia reopened.

On 18-5-2009, the Prime Minister decided to establish the steering committee of production and consumption of Tra catfish in Mekong Delta region by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development as its head. And the result is there was about 80% of rearing fish area associated with the processing plant.

Summarized in 2009, the Steering Committee of production and consumption of Tra catfish in Mekong Delta said that the quality of Pangasius production chain is not controlled is the biggest weakness at the present. Recognizing clearly the weakness, the MARD plans to increase the quality control.

The Ministry will issue technology regulations, the local intensify control and bring Tra catfish into the conditional industry. Plants increased high value processed products to increase export prices, thereby increasing the purchase price of Pangasius materials.

In 2010, to maintain the area and production of Pangasius equivalent 2009 are more than 6,000 hectares and 1.2 million tons. Exports at 600,000 tons, but turnover increased to 1.5 billion USD.

Sau Nghe

Source: TP

• The price of Tra fish increases, farmers have interest - 4/13/2010
• Export: Too Much Fish But Lack Of Shrimps - 12/7/2009