Diversifying aquaculture species to drive breakthroughs

Stabilizing production through product diversification

Shrimp and pangasius continue to serve as the two key pillars of Vietnam’s fisheries industry. In the first quarter of 2025, shrimp exports achieved an impressive growth rate of 37.8%, while pangasius exports maintained steady momentum.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, shrimp production reached 1.3 million metric tons annually, generating USD 4.3 billion in export revenue, whereas pangasius production totaled 1.65 million metric tons, contributing over USD 2 billion. These figures reflect the strength of the two primary commodity groups, but also signal the imminent risk of reaching the productivity ceiling.

Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Tran Dinh Luan emphasized that maintaining a stable supply of raw materials is critical, especially given the long production cycles required in aquaculture—at least three months for shrimp and seven to eight months for other species. However, the U.S. announcement of countervailing duties—affecting a market that accounts for 18–20% of Vietnam’s seafood export revenue—has triggered anxiety among producers, leading to widespread premature harvesting in certain localities.

In response, the Directorate of Fisheries promptly issued guidelines advising farmers and enterprises to avoid early harvesting or reducing stocking density, while coordinating with local authorities to stabilize supply chains and prevent disruptions.

While shrimp and pangasius remain lucrative, the industry’s over-reliance on these two species renders it vulnerable to market fluctuations and disease risks. Mr. Luan stressed that achieving the targeted 4.35% growth rate necessitates diversifying farmed species to include new, high-potential candidates such as tilapia, eel, mollusks (clams, scallops, oysters), seaweed, abalone, and sea cucumber. These species not only offer high economic value but also align well with regional ecological conditions, enabling more efficient use of aquatic resources and reducing pressure on wild stocks.

For instance, tilapia has emerged as a promising species in Northern Vietnam, with growing demand both domestically and internationally. Similarly, integrated farming models combining fish, mollusks, and seaweed have demonstrated significant economic and environmental benefits, contributing to emissions reduction and biodiversity conservation. Mr. Luan noted that in the second quarter of 2025, the Directorate of Fisheries will collaborate with relevant agencies to develop improved farming models aimed at lowering feed conversion ratios, enhancing survival rates, and optimizing production costs.

Pursuing the goal of lifting the IUU “Yellow Card” and expanding markets

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, the first quarter of 2025 recorded positive results, with total aquatic production reaching nearly 2 million metric tons, up 2.8% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this, aquaculture production exceeded 1.1 million metric tons (an increase of 5.1%), capture fisheries amounted to nearly 880,000 metric tons (up 0.1%), and export turnover reached USD 2.29 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18.1%.

However, to achieve the sector’s ambitious targets, Vietnam’s fisheries industry must diversify its farmed species portfolio, reduce its dependence on shrimp and pangasius, and simultaneously strengthen efforts to protect aquatic resources and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in order to remove the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien underscored the importance of strict implementation of Directive No. 32-CT/TW, issued by the Party Secretariat on April 10, 2024, calling for monthly reporting updates and enhanced inspection and supervision across provinces.

The Directorate of Fisheries is working closely with the Legal Department to finalize regulatory documents, review existing circulars, decrees, standards, and technical regulations to meet the European Commission’s requirements.

Additionally, under the Fisheries Resource Protection and Exploitation Planning for the 2021–2030 period, several spawning and nursery grounds must be strictly protected through fishing bans. The Directorate of Fisheries plans to propose that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment direct local authorities to enforce these measures. Mr. Luan emphasized, “Only by transitioning from unregulated exploitation to the protection of spawning and nursery grounds can we achieve sustainable and long-term effectiveness for the fisheries sector.”

Driving new momentum for the fisheries sector

To further boost the industry, several key solutions have been proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Beyond expanding aquaculture species, the sector must develop high-value-added products and enhance trade promotion activities in new markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Free trade agreements (FTAs) offer significant competitive advantages for Vietnamese seafood to strengthen its global position.

Investments in intensive, super-intensive, recirculating, and energy-efficient aquaculture technologies will be essential to improving productivity and product quality. The application of artificial intelligence in disease management and the development of e-commerce trading platforms for seafood products also present promising directions.

Moreover, scaling up organic, ecological, and circular economy farming models will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect marine ecosystems. Stringent control over the quality of broodstock, feed, and aquaculture chemicals remains a cornerstone for sustainable development.

The government is urged to continue providing preferential credit packages and supportive policies to assist fishermen in transitioning from capture fisheries to aquaculture. Building value chains that connect farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises will be critical to ensuring traceability and enhancing product value.

Source: Viet Nam Government News