The 15-year journey to build the seabass hub in Soc Trang

A long-term vision

Over a decade ago, as wild fishery resources became increasingly scarce, brackish water aquaculture emerged as a viable alternative. Among various species, seabass proved to be well-suited to the saline intrusion conditions of Soc Trang province.

In 2010, Vo Dien Trung Dung, a farmer in Lieu Tu commune, Tran De district, recognized the potential and became one of the pioneers in converting 1.5 hectares of low-performing shrimp ponds to test seabass farming. He initially sourced fish fry from research institutes in Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

“Farming seabass came to me as a twist of fate,” Dung shared. “At first, I started small since the market was new. The first year’s output was only 50 – 70 tons, but it grew steadily as the industry developed. Once export opportunities emerged, I gradually expanded my farm, learning and adjusting along the way.”

Though the seabass market was still in its infancy, demand from processing plants steadily increased. In late 2019, Dung made a bold move, he stopped shrimp farming altogether and committed fully to industrial-scale seabass production, expanding his farm to 40 hectares.

The farm is systematically designed with a recirculating water system to maintain a stable environment. Infrastructure investment alone reaches about 1.5 billion VND per hectare of water surface.

Depending on investment capacity, farmers may choose between extensive, semi-intensive, or intensive farming methods. However, success hinges on several factors: high-quality water with salinity between 5 – 15‰, solid infrastructure, and fry that are carefully selected and at least 10 cm in length. Farming cycles typically range from 8 to 12 months, depending on market demand.

Dung emphasizes that sustainable agriculture requires more than just production, it must be grounded in four pillars: robust infrastructure, skilled human resources and management, applied science and technology, and a clear understanding of market demand with strict quality control for export.

Building the Soc Trang seabass brand

Dung’s seabass farm is now considered the largest in the Mekong Delta. He supplies fillets to processors for export to Thailand, Australia, the United States, Canada, and the Middle East, with annual output exceeding 1,000 tons.

In addition, around 2,000 tons of seabass are sold domestically in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Long An, and Tien Giang, generating hundreds of billions of VND in revenue.

Prices are currently high at 90,000 VND/kg for processing plants (at pond), and 95,000 – 100,000 VND/kg for the domestic market (for fish over 1 kg each).

However, the market is not without volatility. In 2022, prices ranged from 90,000 – 95,000 VND/kg, dropping to 75,000 – 85,000 VND/kg in 2023, and falling further in 2024 to just 60,000 – 65,000 VND/kg, below the production cost of around 70,000 VND/kg.

“Today’s prices reflect what happened in the past,” Dung explained. “Prices are high now because supply is low, as farmers stopped restocking due to prior losses.”

Currently, Dung collaborates with 5–10 nearby farmers and employs a team of 10 technicians to oversee farming areas, provide guidance, and procure fish that meet quality standards.

Export-quality seabass must pass stringent checks, and quality control is crucial to compete with producers in countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Despite his success, Dung remains cautious about the future, noting that the seafood industry faces intense competition. Farmers must be knowledgeable and resilient.

With production costs and market fluctuations still influencing prices, Dung believes a tightly linked value chain, connecting farmers, processors, and exporters, is essential for long-term sustainability.

VFM