Shrimp exports set to hit over US$4 billion this year
Vietnamese shrimp exports are poised to rake in more than US$4 billion in 2022, representing an annual rise of 2.56%, according to reports discussed at a conference held on March 11.
The hybrid conference on the shrimp sector’s development, co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, featured the participation of 28 coastal cities and provinces nationwide.
As part of his address at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien requested that relevant agencies and localities identify difficulties and challenges currently facing the sector so the MARD can take them into account during its works toward sustainable growth.
Minister Tien himself listed a number of obstacles and shortcomings, including difficulties caused by COVID-19, outdated farming and rural infrastructure, along with environmental pollution.
Participants put forward a series of solutions at the event, such as forming linkages among shrimp farming localities, developing a scenario for brackish water shrimp production in the context of the ongoing complicated nature of the pandemic, and increasing the application of technological advances.
According to a report issued by the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries, despite issues relating to abnormal weather patterns and COVID-19, the sector produced 970,000 tonnes of shrimps last year, representing an annual rise of 4.3%.
Shrimp export turnover expanded by 5.4% on-year to roughly US$3.9 billion in 2021, with Soc Trang and Ca Mau contributing more than US$2 billion to the overall total.
As planned, this year will see the country’s shrimp farming area reach 750,000 ha for a production of 980,000 tonnes.
