Catfish prices increase but farmers not have profit

Prices of raw catfish last week were stable between VND21,500-VND22,000 per kilogram for 800g -1.1kg size fish. For raw catfish (1,2kg and more size fish) processed for exports to Chinese market, the prices were between VND21,800 and VND22,000 per kilogram. The demand is now still strong but the supply of bigger fishes almost runs out.

Although catfish prices show signs of slight increase, with the current prices of raw catfish enterprises and farmers still lose from VND1,000-VND2,000 per kilogram. Particularly, the prices of fingerlings size 30-35 fishes per kilogram were stable around VND21,000-VND22,000 per kilogram. The market tends to go down due to weak demand for breeds from farmers.

The Mekong Delta is the country's largest catfish farming region, accounting for 80% of the cultivation area and export volume. By March 2021, Mekong Delta's catfish farming area was around 5,7000 hectares mainly concentrated in the provinces of Dong Thap and An Giang.

Vinh Long province currently has more than 277 hectares of ponds and lagoons for intensive farming of catfish, a decrease of over 50 hectares compared to the same period last year.  The area for intensive fish farming is concentrated along the rivers of Tien, Co Chien and Hau.  The output of intensively farmed catfish in the first five months of this year reached 31,198 tons, down 4.2% or 1,375 tons compared to the same period last year.

Particularly in Ben Tre province, the area of intensive catfish stocking in June 2021was estimated at 135 hectares. In the first sixth months of 2021, the total area of fish stocking was estimated at 532 hectares, reaching 66.5% of the plan. At the same time, the output of catfish harvested in June 2021 was estimated at over 4,200t tons, cumulative 87,100 tons reaching 42.55% of the plan.

Nguyen Van Doi in Tan Phong commune, Cai Lay district, Tien Giang province has more than 10 hectares of ponds raising intensive catfish. According to Doi, although catfish prices went up farmers still bore a loss. Nguyen Van Doi shared: "Over the past two years, raising catfish was extremely tragic. Now, companies are paying VND21,500 per kilogram for 1.3kg fish size, higher than last year."

However, Doi said the demand is now not strong. The current catfish prices can't pay off farmers' investment capital. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the export market faces uncertainty.  Therefore, farmers have to limit feeding and prolong farming time which results in higher prices.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), by the end of May 2021, the total value of Vietnam's catfish exports reached US$637.8 million, up 14.7% compared to the same period last year.

Particularly, in May 2021 catfish export value reached US$148.4 million, an increase of 39.3%. According to VASEP, this is a good sign for Vietnam's catfish exports.