150 businesses participate in largest shrimp industry expo in Southeast Asia

The Vietnam Fisheries Society, in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries, Ca Mau province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Vietnamese Fisheries Journal, and several other organizations, held the opening ceremony of the 2024 Vietnam International Shrimp Technology Exhibition (VietShrimp 2024). The event was organized under the theme "Accompanying shrimp farmers" at the Ca Mau province's Convention Center on March 20. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien was one of the participants at the event.

According to the organizers, VietShrimp 2024 saw the participation of over 200 booths from 150 domestic and international businesses in the shrimp industry, and the seafood industry as a whole.

Visitors and shrimp farmers attending this exhibition will have the opportunity to personally experience leading technologies, services, and products in the domestic and international seafood and shrimp industries.

The showcased technologies and solutions have received favorable reviews from industry professionals and shrimp farmers for their effectiveness and quality. Several notable examples include the "3 Good" shrimp farming technology, multi-stage shrimp farming, high-tech super-intensive shrimp farming, and recirculating shrimp farming.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until March 22, 2024. Additionally, the event will feature four specialized seminars with the participation of dedicated managers, scientists, experts, and businesses in the Vietnam's shrimp industry.

The themes of these seminars include research on the application of technology transfer to promote the circular economy of the Vietnamese shrimp value chain; dialogue on low-emission and sustainable shrimp industry within the circular economy; quality enhancement to increase value; optimization of shrimp farming efficiency.

The organizers of VietShrimp 2024 wants to establish the event as a major forum where four key stakeholders - government officials, scientists, business leaders, and farmers - can gather to find the most effective solutions to restore the growth momentum of the Vietnam's shrimp industry, and gradually attain sustainable development.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Society, stated: "This specialized shrimp exhibition in Vietnam has been successfully organized four times in the past (namely 2016, 2018 in Bac Lieu Province and 2021, 2023 in Can Tho City). The current fifth edition takes place in Ca Mau province, which is home to the largest brackish water shrimp farming area in the country."

Motivated by the successes of previous exhibitions, VietShrimp 2024 aims to showcase a detailed overview of Vietnam's shrimp industry, and its seafood industry as a whole. It also aims to promote the potential and strengths of Vietnam's shrimp industry, thereby enhancing its image and brand.

The event will allow Vietnamese businesses to operate effectively, exchange experiences, and expand cooperation domestically and internationally. Consequently, this effort will contribute to affirming Vietnam's position in the global shrimp market.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, noted: "The shrimp industry in Vietnam, and in Ca Mau province in particular, has exhibited consistent growth in both output and export value in the last few years. The total area of brackish water shrimp farming in Vietnam reached 737,000 hectares in 2023, with an estimated output of 1.12 million tons and an export turnover of 3.45 billion USD. On the other hand, the total shrimp farming area in Ca Mau province reached approximately 278,000 hectares in 2023, with a total yield of 231,000 tons and export turnover of at least 1 billion USD."

According to Mr. Su, the Vietnam's shrimp industry is expected to face further challenges in trade competition in 2024. Consequently, all stakeholders and related sectors must be committed to implementing effective solutions for the shrimp industry, with a focus on adaptation and sustainable development.

The organization of the 5th Annual Vietnam International Shrimp Technology Exhibition in 2024 in Ca Mau province, under the theme "Accompanying Shrimp Farmers," holds a significant and practical importance. Namely, the event contributes to promoting and showcasing the potential, strengths, image, and brand of Vietnam's shrimp industry, and serves as an opportunity for central and local government agencies, experts, scientists, businesses, cooperatives, and shrimp farmers to exchange ideas, update information on new scientific and technological advancements.

The event aims to facilitate business collaboration and market expansion, as well as to connect production and consumption along the value chain. It also provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss and address the industry's challenges with practical plans, solutions, and steps towards sustainable development, environmental protection, and enhancing competitiveness on the global market.

The venue of the event, i.e: Ca Mau province, offers an opportunity for various sectors, government agencies, and local residents to accumulate experience, with an emphasis on the effective organization of shrimp production, processing, and export activities.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien praised the achievements of the previous editions of the Vietnam International Shrimp Technology Exhibition, which have generated a new momentum for the development of the shrimp industry. He also expects future efforts in organizing the exhibition will involve comprehensive evaluations and an expanded target audience, thereby identifying optimal technological solutions for the shrimp industry as well as the seafood industry as a whole.