Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam spoke to Viet Nam News about the aquaculture sector’s achievements in 2007 and plans for further development this year.

How did the sector develop last year?

Last year was a key period in the sector’s development plan through 2010, so we conducted measures to meet targets and improve the quality of products.

The sector has experienced a strong pace of growth for the last two years. Part of that growth has been due to the Government’s new policy to convert some agricultural land into areas for developing aquaculture. In 2007, the sector had an area growth rate of 23.1 per cent and production totalling 2.1 million tonnes.

Thanks to solid management, the sector reached an annual growth rate of 11 per cent with an expected total revenue of VND46.7 trillion (US$2.9 billion). Of that, aquaculture accounted for VND30 trillion ($1.87 billion) and fishing contributed VND16.4 trillion ($1 billion), with respective 16.5 per cent and 2.1 per cent increases.

However, changing weather and new diseases have negatively affected the sector’s production, especially its input.
Seafood import markets have been applying strict standards, particularly regarding food safety and hygiene.

What is the sector doing to meet these standards?

This is a problem for not only Viet Nam but many countries. We have been applying international Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points for many years. In reality, the management of feeds and pesticide use has not been sufficient. The sector will try to deal with it, but it will be a long-term process.

We now focus food hygiene and safety management on farmers and other input providers and have decentralised the management. A unit’s export activities will be temporarily suspended if they violate common standards three times.

In addition, the sector has been strengthening the relationship between farmers and feed providers to make sure farms’ products are safe. A Japanese investigation delegation has expressed its appreciation for our efforts to monitor aquacultural production at its various stages. Recently, we also have been co-operating with Russian partners to ensure clean exports.


How have these efforts impacted the export market?

The sector has extended its market to 130 countries and territories. The number of seafood enterprises satisfying EU, US and Japan import standards has doubled compared to 2006. The sector has a significant market share and is becoming more active in promoting its exports by participating in trade fairs.


What are plans for further developing the sector this year?

The sector targets export revenue of $4.52 billion this year, an increase of 19.2 per cent over last year. We will set measures to ensure sustainable development, improve our competitive ability and diversify our products.

To increase our exports to the Japanese market, for instance, we plan to improve promotional activities, find more partners and strictly apply food hygiene and safety measures.

Next, we will ensure fresh products for export processing. We will apply new administrative regulations and standards regarding the use of pesticides and chemicals and create models for small breeders to follow.

In addition, we will prioritize applying environmentally friendly methods of industrializing aquaculture.

Also, we will apply food hygiene and safety measures to farming as well as harvesting and processing to ensure high-quality products

Source: VNS