Mekong Delta provinces have been urged to use advanced technology in pangasius production so as to offer value-added products and boost exports.
The request was expressed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường, who pointed out that pangasius exports should reach more than USD 2 billion as no other country has the advantage that Việtnam does in this sector.
The minister also said that one of the key solutions for pangasius farming was “sustainable development” through cutting-edge technology and that provinces must re-plan production and diversify their products, with priority given to value-added products, diversifying export markets.
For his part, Như Văn Cẩn, head of the Department of Aquaculture under D-Fisheries, said in the first seven months, the pangasius industry faced a number of challenges, including barriers from import markets.
Some of these challenges, such as an anti-dumping duty and a catfish inspection programme, prevented local seafood enterprises from promoting exports of pangasius to the US market. Official statistics reveal that despite challenges, exports in the first seven months continued to increase by 19.3 per cent over the same period last year, reaching USD 1.19 billion.
VFM
