Tra output, exports forecast to plunge
Tra output, exports forecast to plunge
Viet Nam's tra fish output will drop strongly this year to less than one million tonnes as farmers continue to turn away from breeding, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Production could actually drop to as much as 800,000 tonnes, VASEP said at a meeting held in Can Tho City last Friday to review 2012's performance and set plans for this year.
Revenues from tra fish export would also decrease to about US$1.5-1.6 billion, VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe told the meeting.
According to the General Department of Fisheries, Viet Nam produced more than 1.28 million tonnes of tra fish and earned $1.74 billion from tra fish exports last year. This marked a 3.4 per cent reduction in export revenues over 2011.
The tra fish sector has never had such a difficult time as it did last year, with prices of the fish dropping strongly while feed prices and other input costs increased sharply.
As a result, farmers incurred losses of VND2,000-4,000 per kilogramme last year, the meeting heard.
Tra fish exports to key markets including the EU, the US and China reduced strongly last year since consumers in these markets continued to tighten their belts amidst the ongoing economic slowdown.
Delegates at the meeting felt there were too many companies involved in tra fish exports, with some engaging in unhealthy competition, including slashing prices and increasing the ice-ratio up to 30-40 per cent in their tra fish products, giving Viet Nam's tra fish industry "a bad name".
Nguyen Huu Dung, VASEP deputy chairman, said there are only 70 tra fish processing firms in the country, but up to 300 firms are involved in exporting the fish.
He asked relevant agencies to enhance inspections and strictly punish violations.
To facilitate tra fish production and consumption this year, delegates at the meeting asked the Government to quickly issue regulations on tra fish export, help reduce difficulties faced by the sector, especially in accessing credit, and upgrade infrastructure in breeding areas.
Many participants agreed that this year will be one for the tra fish sector to analyse all its shortcomings and make plans to restructure and improve performance, and in so doing, create a momentum for the sector to develop in a sustainable manner from 2014 onwards.
vietnamnews
