An Aug. 31 survey of Vietnamese seafood producers conducted by Cuu Long Delta Development Institute, a collaboration between Can Tho University and Scotland's Stirling University, shows that Vietnam discussed the possibility of importing fish materials to boost fish export.
The report revealed that in the past five years, fish production has increased consistently while prices continue to fluctuate. On average, profit at fish farms in Can Tho city and An Giang and Dong Thap provinces dropped to just over $61 per metric ton in 2005, down from $170 per metric ton prior to 2003. Thinning profits are mostly caused by increased production costs.
Most local seafood processing plants don't own a cold storage facility. While some processors rent in Ho Chi Minh, it's impossible to stock up on fish when prices are down. Big processors with their own cold storage could store only 10,000 metric tons.
The survey also measured farmers' concerns regarding harmful environmental practices. Every year, Cuu Long Delta fish farms accumulate 500 million cubic meters of mud and waste. For every cubic meter producing 8 kilograms of tra, 24 cubic meters of water, containing 0.033 to 0.035 kilograms of Chemical Oxygen Demand per liter, is used.
Looking at the harsh statistics and declining profit, 47 percent of local farms consider exiting the industry, while 32 percent contemplate building onsite wastewater treatment to minimize the environmental impact.
To solve both problems, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers suggests that the government budget $2 billion to import seafood for re-exporting to boost the country's export income to $7.5 billion to $8 billion by 2020.
