The first farmed shrimp from Asia to earn the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) eco-label will hit the market soon. Quoc Viet in Vietnam, a family business that started in 1996, was the first shrimp farm to enter the ASC program.
“Our family understands the importance of managing our farm systems well and making sure we care for our local environment, people and community – responsible practice and maintaining high standards have never been a choice for us, you have to do it the right way,” said Ngo Quoc Tuan, VP of Quoc Viet.
“For us, gaining ASC certification reinforces to others that we do manage our business responsibly. It’s also makes good business sense; ASC certification gives you market entry that offers new opportunities. And, our customers now have the confidence that the shrimp they buy from us comes from a farm that meets the most rigorous global criteria for responsible farm production.”
Quoc Viet supplied 15,000 metric tons (MT) of shrimp in 2013 with a target of 20,000 MT this year. The business is currently in the process of expanding its plant to scale up production to 25,000 MT by 2015. Quoc Viet supplies customers across the United States, Japan, EU, Australia, Canada, Korea and other countries.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Quoc Viet for their tremendous achievement.
“It’s quite a step to have the first Asian certified shrimp now available. Vietnam is the third biggest exporter of farmed shrimp globally, with around 90 per cent of its total volume exported,” said Chris Ninnes, ASC’s CEO. “The global market for farmed shrimp is strong so it is increasingly important to engage the markets to promote responsible shrimp production. Aquaculture can meet the increasing demands but it must – and can – be done responsibly.”
