Vietnam targets sturgeon import controls to boost domestic cold-water farming

Vietnam’s Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has acknowledged a proposal from the Lao Cai Cold-Water Fish Association to tighten controls on sturgeon imports, a move seen as a potential boost for the domestic cold-water aquaculture sector.

Between 2007 and 2023, Vietnam’s cold-water fish production grew at an average rate of 49.13% annually, placing the country among the world’s six largest sturgeon producers. Beyond its economic value, cold-water farming has been highlighted as a strategic driver for livelihoods, regional development, and national security in remote border areas.

However, under the pressures of globalization and Vietnam’s commitments to WTO and FTA market-opening agreements, the sector faces mounting competition from imports. The Directorate has urged local farmers to adopt advanced technologies to improve survival rates, cut production costs, ensure environmental protection, and strengthen traceability. Stronger supply chain linkages, enterprise-led production models, and transparent quality standards are seen as key to building Vietnam’s cold-water fish brand.

Looking ahead, the agency plans to advise the Ministry on negotiating the import of high-value cold-water broodstock suited to local conditions, while also directing research, breeding, and disease management efforts. Administrative reforms will be prioritized to ease business operations, alongside stricter enforcement of the Fisheries Law, particularly on endangered and rare species such as sturgeon.

Authorities are also calling on provinces, industry associations, and farming operations to comply with certification and traceability rules. Efforts to streamline farming processes, reduce costs, and establish a competitive Vietnamese sturgeon brand are regarded as crucial for the sector’s long-term international competitiveness.

VFM