Shrimp prices soar, farmers see big profits
Shrimp farmers in Long An province are delighted as shrimp prices have reached the highest levels in years, bringing substantial profits. This positive development offers hope for the local aquaculture industry, especially after nearly two years of low shrimp prices.
According to shrimp traders in Nhat Ninh commune, Tan Tru district, the purchase price of black tiger shrimp and white-leg shrimp has increased by 10,000 – 25,000 VND/kg over the same period last year. White-leg shrimp, sized 30 – 40 pieces/kg, is priced at 190,000 – 200,000 VND/kg; sizes 60 – 80 pieces/kg are 115,000 – 125,000 VND/kg; sizes 100 – 110 pieces/kg are 95,000-105,000 VND/kg. Black tiger shrimp, sized 30 – 40 pieces/kg, is priced at 170,000 – 190,000 VND/kg; sizes above 50 pieces/kg are 120,000 – 150,000 VND/kg.
Vo Thi Giang, a shrimp farmer in Nhat Ninh commune, Tan Tru district, shared: “I have two ponds for farming white-leg shrimp, covering 0.6 hectares of water surface. For nearly two years, production has been challenging due to rising feed costs and low shrimp prices.
However, the market situation for the year-end 2024 crop is very favorable, with high shrimp prices and minimal disease. Currently, my shrimp are over 50 days old, and I expect to harvest them in 15-20 days. I hope prices continue to rise.”
Nguyen Van Chan, a farmer in Tan Chanh commune, Can Duoc district, expressed his excitement: “Earlier crops this year had minimal disease, but low selling prices and high production costs left little profit. This crop, however, is seeing high prices, and many farmers are making significant profits, with an estimated 400 million VND per hectare in earnings.”
Several farmers attribute the price surge to the limited number of ponds reaching harvest stage, while market demand remains strong, leading to a supply shortage.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total shrimp farming area in the province in 2024 reached 6,163 hectares, including 543 hectares of black tiger shrimp and 5,620 hectares of white-leg shrimp. This is 101% of the plan and 100.2% of the same period last year.
Nguyen Thanh Toan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary, and Aquatic Products, advised caution: “At the end of the year, the significant temperature differences between day and night and low salinity levels create favorable conditions for shrimp diseases to develop. To minimize risks, farmers should be cautious and well-prepared before starting a new crop.”
Farmers are advised to select high-quality shrimp seeds from reputable suppliers, strictly manage daily feed amounts, and regularly monitor shrimp health to implement timely and effective technical measures.
VFM
