With the estimated export value at US$1.4 billion, not at US$1.5 billion of the plan, 2010 was considered as an unsuccessful year of Vietnamese pangasius. However, it is forecasted that in 2011 this situation is more stressful.
At the conference on overview of pangasius export in 2010, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) forecasts the global demand for pangasius next year would be greater than the supply. However, as planned in 2011, export pangasius production would only reach 360,000 MT, down nearly 40 percent compared to 2010. Its export turnover would be at 1 billion.
Raw material is most concerned problem of many enterprises. It is forecasted pangasius production in 2011 only reaches about 900.000 MT, so raw material for processing will be lacked a large amount. And this situation will last until the next harvest in May 2011.
Although the price is currently at a high level, farmers dare not to breed again because they worry about the fluctuation of price. Increasing feed price led to loss of many farmers, as the result they have to leave their ponds. Besides, both enterprises and farmers hardly access loans from banks because of so high interest rates.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Dzung, Standing Vice Chairman of VASEP believed that pangasius export in 2011 will be not backed down but can reach the near-peak level in 2008. Especially, 2011 will mark the change in the quality of pangasius because since 2010, many enterprises in the industry has been certificated Global GAP and currently lots of enterprises are also applying this standard.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Luong Le Phuong stressed that “not so pessimistic”. Pangasius export next year may exceed the forecast if enterprises and farmers joint together to seek solutions to overcome difficulties.
Mr. Phuong supported the 4 solutions that VASEP and enterprises unified to provide aimed at reviving the domestic pangasius industry as well as regulating its export markets for next year. Namely, rising the average export price through the management of export floor price, stabilizing the raw material production, ensuring the supply – demand, enhancing the quality management in accordance with standards and boosting the advertisement and trade promotion.
In December 2010, VASEP and enterprises agreed the minimum export pangasius price to all markets in January 2011 is 3 USD per kg for whitemeat pangasius and 2.05 USD per kg for redmeat one.
VASEP also sent official letter on informing enterprises about it and required them to notify their partners. In January 2011, on the implementation basis of enterprises, VASEP will submit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to request the approval of the Regulation on Export Pangasius Management via the floor price of exporters.
