Ca Mau: Rising goby fish prices bring profits to farmers
Goby fish farming has been a long-standing practice in Ca Mau City, Ca Mau Province, though it has seen ups and downs due to fluctuating market prices. Recently, however, prices have remained high, bringing positive returns for local farmers.
Le Van Hieu, a resident of Quarter 1, Tan Xuyen Ward, Ca Mau City, noticed the price stability over the past two years and decided to adopt industrial farming techniques. His family manages two ponds, and while the fish reached harvest size before Tet, they waited for better prices. Their patience paid off as goby fish prices recently climbed above 200,000 VND/kg, allowing them to secure a solid profit from their first crop.
“This year has been more promising,” Hieu shared. “I stocked 200,000 fish in two ponds after learning from experienced farmers. At harvest time, the fish reached a density of 40 fish per kilogram, and I had been raising them for over six months. There were some losses in the first two months due to disease, but overall, this crop still turned a profit. I expect to harvest over two tons from these ponds.”
Industrial goby fish farming has been well-established in Ca Mau City for years, consistently delivering high yields. However, in the past, farmers struggled with unstable market demand and price drops, forcing many to switch to other species. In recent years, with prices remaining stable and fewer risks of losses, many have resumed goby fish farming, while others are considering starting.
According to Cao Van Thom, Vice Chairman of the Tan Xuyen Ward Farmers’ Association, over 10 households in the ward are currently farming goby fish, with more showing interest in expanding. The association plans to connect experienced farmers with newcomers to share knowledge and support the growth of the industry.
Goby fish farming has been quite profitable in our ward, with current prices around 200,000 VND/kg, ensuring good returns for farmers. Moving forward, the Farmers’ Association will encourage more members to adopt this model and provide support to expand production, helping farmers improve their incomes,” Thom added.
VFM
