Vietnam’s seafood production exceeded 6.7 million metric tons (MT) in 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.5 percent. Of this volume, fishing contributed 3.1 million MT and aquaculture yielded 3.6 million MT, up 1.7 percent and 3.3 percent respectively.
While pangasius production has traditionally dominated Vietnamese farmed fish production, with a farming area of 5,050 hectares and an output of 1.15 million MT in 2016, its tilapia sector showed the most growth in the last 12 months.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), tilapia production now accounts for 25,000 hectares with the sector’s output up to 200,000 MT, while the total export value of the fish increased 32 percent to USD 45 million (EUR 43 million) in 2016.
In 2016, MARD approved a development plan for tilapia farming with high production and labor targets for 2020 and 2030. 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 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 is focusing on three species of tilapia: Nile tilapia, a Nile/blue tilapia hybrid and red tilapia.
In terms of its exports, the country’s focus is on supplying frozen fillets and value-added products to major tilapia markets like the United States, Africa and the Middle East.
