Pangasius and black tiger shrimp prices firm on tighter supply, disease-hit farms

Pangasius and black tiger shrimp prices are edging higher as raw material supply tightens in the Mekong Delta, with farmers and processors anticipating further gains into late Q3.

In An Giang, Dong Thap and Vinh Long, pangasius prices have risen to VND 23,000 – 24,500 (USD 0.92 – USD 0.98) per kilo, while Tien Giang farmers are selling at slightly lower levels of VND 22,000 – 22,500. Supply shortages are mounting, with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) estimating that Q3 raw pangasius availability will fall about 30% short of processing demand, as many growers earlier cut production or delayed restocking.

Shrimp prices are also firming after a prolonged slump. Black tiger shrimp (20 count/kg) are now fetching VND 205,000 – 210,000/kg, up VND 10,000 from last week and VND 20,000 from mid-July, while smaller sizes (30-40 count/kg) have climbed to VND 115,000 – 120,000. Whiteleg shrimp (100 count/kg) are trading at VND 75,000/kg, an increase of VND 4,000.

Vietnam’s August aquaculture harvest was estimated at 290,000t, bringing the January-August total to 1.94m t, up 3% year-on-year. Pangasius accounted for more than 736,000t, produced across 7,000 hectares.

Shrimp disease outbreaks remain a critical factor, with 11,000 hectares affected in Bac Lieu and 13,000 hectares in Ca Mau as of Aug. 20. Lower harvest volumes are tightening supply further, driving up prices in the Ca Mau peninsula and reinforcing expectations of firmer markets through the remainder of Q3.

Source:  https://vietfishmagazine.com/