In 2016, the total output of aquatic products exceeded 6.7 million tons, an increase of 2.5 percent over the same period last year. It included 3.1 million tons from fishing, and 3.6 million tons from aquaculture, up 1.7 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. The total farming area reached 1.3 million hectares.
According to the Directorate of Fisheries under the MARD, drought and saltwater intrusion in south central provinces and the Mekong Delta region, as well as the maritime environmental incident in four central provinces have caused severe impacts on aquaculture and seafood catching in the first half of this year. However, thanks to the synchronous solutions and drastic measures of the Government, the sector experienced improvements in the second half.
In 2016, the total area of pangasius farming was 5,050 hectares, producing 1.15 million tons, fulfilling the annual target. Meanwhile, the tilapia breeding area was 25,000 hectares, churning out 200,000 tons. The major importers of the product were the US, Spain and Colombia.
The tilapia export value hit 45 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 32 percent, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
In 2017, the sector aims to produce 6.85 million tons, including 3.05 million tons from fishing and 3.8 million tons from farming, and earn 7.3 billion USD from exports.
