Continuing to open the market
According to a report of Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), in 2024, total seafood output reached more than 9.6 million tonnes, an increase of 2% compared to 2023. Of which, output of exploited seafood reached nearly 3.86 million tonnes, output of aquaculture reached more than 5.75 million tonnes. Seafood export turnover is estimated at more than 10 billion USD, reaching 106% of the plan, up 12.1% compared to 2023.
Mr. Tran Dinh Luan - Director of Department of Fisheries - assessed that in the past year, promotion of aquaculture development in reservoirs has brought many positive results. In addition, there have been bright spots in tilapia exports, especially in the Northern region. In addition, eels, frogs, etc. are also potential targets to target in the future.
In addition to achieved results, according to assessment of Mr. Pham Quang Toan - Deputy Director of Department of Fisheries, this industry still has many shortcomings and limitations. Infrastructure in many farming areas is not guaranteed; water supply system for aquaculture is mainly shared with irrigation system for agricultural production, which is not suitable for technical requirements of aquaculture.
Although investment has been paid to infrastructure of fishing ports and storm shelters, they have not yet met development requirements of the industry. Maintenance and repair work has not been given attention by localities and funding has not been allocated according to regulations. Application and transfer of science and technology in aquaculture and fisheries exploitation are still limited. Links in production, processing and consumption of aquatic products are not tight.
Meanwhile, Mr. Le Thanh Hoa - Deputy Director of Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) - commented that export turnover of aquatic products in 2024 exceeded the 10 billion USD mark, which is a success for the entire industry. However, in 2025, it is necessary to monitor more closely issue of antibiotic residues in exported aquatic products.
Regarding the market, Mr. Hoa said that in 2025, Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development will actively coordinate with Department of Animal Health in disease surveillance so that Saudi Arabia will soon reopen its doors to Vietnamese farmed shrimp and fish. At the same time, actively negotiate and try to exploit better in the Chinese market.
Export target for 2025 is still quite modest
2025 is the final year to accelerate and break through to finish line of the 5-year Fisheries Development Plan for a period of 2021 - 2025 and at the same time, preparing for Industry Development Plan in a period of 2026 - 2030. Therefore, Mr. Pham Quang Toan informed that Department of Fisheries will continue to implement policy of Fisheries Development Strategy, which is to reduce exploitation and increase aquaculture. In addition, develop fisheries economy in a sustainable direction, adapt to climate change and enhance competitiveness of fisheries products. Continue to implement goal of "Transforming from aquaculture production thinking to aquaculture economic thinking" and "transforming from single-value growth to multi-value integrated growth". Regarding this, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan said that there are two key issues that aquaculture industry will focus on in 2025, which are to more strictly control quality of shrimp breeds in particular, aquatic breeds in general and the use of antibiotics in aquaculture.
In 2025, aquaculture industry aims to reach a total aquaculture area of over 1.3 million hectares, an increase of 2% compared to 2024, of which freshwater aquaculture area is 390,000 hectares; brackish water aquaculture area is 937,000 hectares. Total output is about 9.6 million tons, equivalent to 2024, of which the exploited output is nearly 3.66 million tonnes, a decrease of 5.2% compared to 2024; Aquaculture output is more than 5.95 million tonnes, up 3.5% compared to 2024. Export turnover reaches about 10.5 billion USD. Mr. Phung Duc Tien - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development - commented that the growth of aquaculture industry still has a lot of room. For those with advantages such as shrimp, pangasius, mollusks, etc., it is necessary to increase productivity, solve problems related to antibiotics, diseases, tighten quality of shrimp seeds, feed, nutrition, etc. to ensure sustainability. Promote development of new potential farming objects such as seaweed, eel, tilapia, etc.
Regarding fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, it is necessary to continue to strengthen management of fishing fleets, fishing vessel monitoring equipment (VMS), handle administrative violations, traceability; before, during and after Tet, it is necessary to actively inspect situation in localities.
In the past, science and technology have made many great contributions, but in new context, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that strong changes are needed, "science must come from practice, must serve practice". In addition, it is necessary to pay special attention to investment and upgrading infrastructure, strengthening international cooperation, paying attention to processing, developing markets, promoting coordination with units, strengthening communication work... In addition, green transformation is an indisputable trend of the world...

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn