Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has approved a development plan for tilapia farming by 2020.
The purposes of the plan are to develop the sector effectively and sustainably with diversified products to meet domestic consumption demand and exports; to produce enough high-quality tilapia seeds for commercial products; to control diseases in the production; and create jobs and raise incomes for farmers.
By 2020, Vietnam is expected to reach 33,000 hectares in the farming area of tilapia and 1.5 million cubic metres in farming cages in rivers and large reservoirs. Tilapia ouput is planned to hit 300,000 MT, in which 50-60% of the total can meet standards for exports. The country is expected to produce 100% of disease-free seeds for commercial products and create jobs for about 54,350 direct labours and 5,000 indirect labours.
Going further, by 2030, the country is expected to reach 40,000 hectares for tilapia farming and 1.8 million cubic metres in rivers and large reservoirs. By 2030, tilapia output is planned to hit 400,000 MT - 45-50% of which will be exported.
There will be three mainly farmed species, including Nile tilapia, hybrid tilapia (except for hybrid tilapia between Nile tilapia and blue tilapia) and red tilapia. In addition, exports will focus on product segments like frozen fillets and value-added products in major importing markets (the US, Africa, the Middle East and some potential markets).
