Quang Ninh overcomes difficulties in aquaculture consumption

It is forecasted that from now until the end of this year, the province’s aquaculture production is over 60,600 tons including 34,000 tons of fish, over 5,600 tons of shrimp, over 11,600 tons of molluscs and over 9,200 tons of other seafood.

As considering the supports for aquaculture consumption a key task, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province asked the Department of Industry and Trade to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, New Rural Construction Board, local People's Committees and agencies calling on local offices, companies and schools for buying local aquaculture products.

Quang Ninh Industry and Trade Promotion and Development Centre developed a plan to organise trade promotion activities to consume seafood products in the province from now until the end of 2021. Accordingly, it would launch promotion weeks, fairs, and introduction points of One Commune-One Product (OCOP) products in six localities -Uong Bi, Cam Pha, Ba Che, Hai Ha, Dam Ha and Mong Cai.

A booth introducing Quang Ninh’s OCOP products and seafood products would be opened in major cultural and tourism events, for example, the Quang Ninh Culture and Tourism Day 2021 taken place in Hanoi.

The department also coordinates with the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities, calling officials, State employees and residents to use local products. 

The Department also proposed the Domestic Market Department under Ministry of Industry and Trade and other localities nationwide to support the consumption of Quang Ninh seafood products.

As soon as receiving the request from the Quang Ninh Department of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade directed the Departments of Industry and Trade of the provinces and centrally-run cities, wholesale markets, e-commerce platforms, large distribution enterprises, industry associations, cooperatives, unions of trade cooperatives nationwide to support the consumption of seafood products in Quang Ninh province.

Localities nationwide also called on supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, distribution enterprises lending a hand in consuming Quang Ninh aquaculture products.

Quang Ninh Department of Industry and Trade connected with Vietnam Coal - Mineral Industries Group and Dong Bac Corporation to ask for help. Aquaculture products are served in meals for officers and employees in the two groups.

Over 15,000 tonnes of aquaculture products sold in a month

Thanks to the enthusiasm of departments, localities and businesses in the province, since the program was launched, positive signals have been seen in aquaculture consumption in Quang Ninh province.

From September 15 to October 30, 2021, the whole province has supported the consumption of over 15,483 tons of aquatic products in domestic and foreign markets.

According to the assessment of the Quang Ninh Province’s Department of Industry and Trade, because the product categories and prices (especially grouper) are not suitable for daily meals of employees, students at schools, it is difficult for companies and schools to consume large quantities.

In addition, aquaculture production facilities/households failed to have sufficient documents to meet the requirement of modern distribution systems. 

Another reason is that the COVID-19 pandemic developed complicated in some provinces, making consumers and distributors in the provinces are still concerned about transportation issues, especially fresh seafood, which leads to limited consumption.

In addition, local departments, localities, and agencies faced difficulties in collecting data and reporting the work they have done in consumption supports.

Boosting consumption of local aquaculture products

To help aquaculture farmers overcome difficulties, the Quang Ninh Department of Industry and Trade called on departments, agencies, and localities to continue closely coordinating activities to boost consumption of aquatic products in the province following the Plan 173/KH-UBND dated September 15, 2021, of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province.

Retail supermarkets in Quang Ninh province were suggested to promote and maintain regular promotional programs for local aquatic products to attract consumers, increase purchasing power and actively support farming households/ aquatic products producers to complete procedures to make their products eligible for sale in such retail supermarkets.

In addition, aquaculture growers should strictly follow local aquaculture production planning to improve product quality, ensure product supply and limit spontaneity in aquaculture that affects supply and demand in the market and causes unfair price competition.