Vietnam has seen its production of pangasius decline in the first month of this year, while its output of shrimp rose year-over-year.
The country produced estimated 85,000 metric tons (MT) of pangasius in January, 0.9 percent lower than the same month last year, according to latest data from the General Statistics Office (GSO).
The decline in the output took place after pangasius prices fell sharply in 2019 due to oversupply.
Data from Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) showed that the pond prices in Dong Thap Province in the week ending 26 December were VND 19,000 to VND 20,500 (USD 0.82 to USD 0.88, EUR 0.74 to EUR 0.80) per kilogram for smaller size 0.7- to 0.8-kilogram fish, much lower than the peak of around VND 35,000 (USD 1.50, EUR 1.36) per kilogram in late 2018.
Vietnam produced an estimated 1.52 million MT of pangasius in 2019, up 6.9 percent from 2018, GSO said 27 December. Output still increased on a year-on-year basis, despite a slump in prices in the latter part of the year, because farming areas were extensively expanded throughout 2018 and the first quarter of 2019 when prices soared.
The production of farmed shrimp in January rose compared to last year with estimated 12,800 MT of giant tiger shrimp, going up 5.8 percent year-on-year; and an estimated 21,700 MT of whiteleg shrimp, up 9.6 percent.
In total, Vietnam produced estimated 259,900 MT of farmed seafood in the month, rising 2.9 percent, including an estimated 194,400 MT of fish, up 1.6 percent; and an estimated 36,700 MT of shrimp, 8.3 percent higher year-on-year.
The country produced estimated 242,400 MT of wild-caught seafood in January, up 0.5 percent year-on-year.
Its total output, including farmed and wild-caught seafood production, in January rose 1.7 percent year-on-year to estimated 502,300 MT, comprising estimated 379,900 MT of fish, edging up 1.3 percent; estimated 47,200 MT of shrimp, increasing 6.1 percent; and estimated 75,200 MT of other species, up 1.2 percent.
Vietnam expects to produce 8.2 million MT of seafood this year, up 0.6 percent from 2019, comprising 1.42 million MT of pangasius and 850,000 MT of shrimp, according to the General Department of Fisheries in late December.
Photo courtesy of Chalermphon Srisang/Shutterstock
