Commodity associations aid in the growth of a sustainable seafood value chain

VASEP, VINAPA, VINATUNA, VSA, Vietnam coldwater fish association, Vietnam traditional fish sauce association, Vietnam fish sauce association, and My Thanh shrimp association worked with MARD on September 21.

In his opening remarks, MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highlighted the significance of associations in establishing a sustainable value chain for the fisheries industry.

"The fishing business has undergone a swift and vigorous progression from exploitation to cultivation. Commodity associations are crucial to the endeavor since they are a direct link in the supply and production chain," the Deputy Minister stated.

According to the leader of MARD, there is untapped potential in the fishing industry, thus the recent growth rate of 5 to 6 percent may surpass the threshold. To preserve the marginal production, the Deputy Minister ordered the fishery sector to evolve into a more economically viable business with a larger scale and proportion of commodities, prestigious brands, and a greater presence in the global supply chain.

To achieve the objective, the Deputy Minister requested that state management agencies and commodity associations strengthen collaboration and implement the following solutions in a synchronized manner: expanding industrialization and modernization of the fishery industry in a market-oriented, environmentally friendly manner, protecting, regenerating, and developing aquatic resources, and conserving biodiversity; adapting to climate change, ensuring disease safety, biosecurity, and social stability; and conserving biodiversity.

In addition, the growth of fisheries should be tied to the enhancement of the quality of life for the populace and the establishment of a new-style rural area. Concurrent with investments in the development of material and technological infrastructure, the stakeholders must formulate a strategy for training, cultivating, developing, and successfully utilizing human resources, with an emphasis on the use of advanced technologies.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the need for appropriate policies to attract economic forces and components to engage in the effective development of the fishery sector through enterprises serving as its pillar force.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries (D-fish), total fishery production is expected to reach 6.75 million tons by the end of September 2022, an increase of 2.7% from the previous year, with aquaculture production estimated at 3.87 million tons (an increase of 7%) and fishing output estimated at 2.88 million tons (a decrease of 2.5%).

According to preliminary data from the General Department of Customs, the value of seafood exports in August 2022 exceeded USD 1 billion, a 68% increase over the same month in 2021. Beginning in 2022, the export turnover value of seafood reached USD 7.6 billion, a 37.3% increase over the same time in 2021 and 84.8% of the target for 2022. With the current growth rate, seafood exports will surpass USD 10 billion.

Director General of D-fish Tran Dinh Luan stated, during the working session, that the duties of individuals in the fishing industry are not restricted to export value. In addition to the objective of reducing fishing by around 1 million tons by 2030, the sector is doing research to decrease post-harvest losses, boost conservation efforts, and conserve aquatic resources...

"Reducing exploitation is the objective, but it must be done sustainably. Agricultural expansion must be consistent with environmental and landscape preservation," "Mr. Luan said.

The Prime Minister signed Decision No. 339 on March 11, 2021, authorizing the plan for the development of Vietnam's fisheries through 2030, with a vision to 2045. This is regarded as the foundation for Vietnam's seafood industry to achieve a modernization breakthrough, improve added value, and expand sustainably.