The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Vietnam has approved a development plan for tilapia farming that includes high production and labor targets for 2020 and 2030.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said the plan has four key purposes:
1. To develop the sector effectively and sustainably with diversified products to meet domestic consumption demand and exports
2. Produce enough high-quality juvenile tilapia for commercial products
3. Control diseases in the production cycle
4. Create jobs and raise incomes for farmers
According to the plan, by 2020 Vietnam is expected to have 33,000 hectares dedicated to tilapia farming and 1.5 million cubic meters of farming cages in rivers and large reservoirs. Its total tilapia harvest is forecast to reach 300,000 metric tons (MT), with 50 to 60 percent destined for export. Also by this date, the sector will provide 54,350 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs and its juveniles will be 100 percent disease-free.
By 2030, the country’s tilapia farming area is expected to have grown to 40,000 hectares and 1.8 million cubic meters of cages. With this growth, the tilapia output is forecast to climb to 400,000 MT, of which 45 to 50 percent will be exported. Employment by the sector will increase to 67,500 direct jobs and 8,000 indirect jobs.
Vietnam will focus on three species of tilapia: Nile tilapia, a Nile/blue tilapia hybrid and red tilapia.
In terms of its exports, the country will focus on supplying frozen fillets and value-added products to major tilapia markets like the United States, Africa and the Middle East.
