Soc Trang launches its first tilapia processing plant to boost exports
A new seafood processing plant in Soc Trang province is boosting Vietnam’s export potential by specializing in monosex tilapia - a first for the region. With a 200-ton daily capacity, the facility targets rising global demand for premium aquaculture products.
Tilapia farming gains ground alongside shrimp
According to Ngo Thai Chan, Director of Soc Trang’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, while whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp remain the province’s primary aquaculture products, tilapia is emerging as a promising alternative for both domestic farmers and international markets.
Soc Trang currently boasts approximately 50,000 hectares of brackish-water shrimp farms, largely operated under industrial models that provide a stable raw material supply for local and regional processing plants. In 2024, shrimp exports from the province surpassed USD 1 billion. The outlook for 2025 remains positive, with the first two months alone bringing in around USD 143 million, marking a 17% increase year-on-year.
“Coastal areas in Soc Trang have strong potential for monosex tilapia farming,” said Chan. “Initial trials have yielded great results. Compared to shrimp, tilapia involves lower risk and requires less investment. Moreover, a new processing plant will not only absorb raw materials but also diversify export offerings and create local employment opportunities.”
New factory signals rising momentum
Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Co., Ltd., revealed that the company has begun construction on a tilapia processing facility in An Nghiep Industrial Park, Chau Thanh District. The plant is expected to be operational by July 2025, focusing on fillets, whole fish, and value-added products with a target capacity of 200 tons per day.
Tai is not alone in this shift. Several shrimp-focused companies in the Mekong Delta are now exploring monosex tilapia farming as a complementary venture. Among them is Viet Nam Clean Seafood Corporation.
Vo Van Phuc, the company’s CEO, stated: “We’ve had great success with high-tech shrimp farming and are now investing in monosex tilapia. The fish raised in coastal areas delivers tender, flavorful meat. After processing into fillets and other high-value products, samples have been well-received by international customers. We’re planning to expand farming areas to ensure a steady supply and enhance traceability.”
This new chapter in Soc Trang’s aquaculture development underscores Vietnam’s broader strategy to diversify its seafood exports and build resilient supply chains through innovation and localized value addition.
VFM
