Fishery businesses in Đồng Tháp Province are navigating challenging conditions brought about by COVID-19. The pandemic has caused a reduction in demand for fish products, leading to farmers incurring losses of VNĐ1,000-6,500 per kilo of fish. To address this situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with the Department of Industry and Trade to explore export opportunities in countries that have signed free trade agreements with Việt Nam.
Impact of COVID-19 on Shark Catfish Exports
The province’s shark catfish exports have been particularly affected by COVID-19. The price of raw catfish has fallen significantly from VNĐ18,000-18,500 per kilo to VNĐ4,500 less than the same period last year. This situation may persist through the second quarter of the year. Furthermore, most processing businesses have a surplus of cold storage due to reduced exports, even though raw materials remain abundant.
Reduced Fishling Production and Snake Head Prices
The consumption of commercial shark catfish has also slowed, leading to lower prices for fishlings. In addition, farmers are not refilling their farms after harvests as much as they usually do. The price of snake heads has dropped by VNĐ12,000 year-on-year to VNĐ24,000-25,000.
Fishery Sector in Đồng Tháp Province
Đồng Tháp Province has 4,000 hectares of land dedicated to fisheries, mainly producing shark catfish, snakehead, and red tilapia. The province is home to 20 fishery processing businesses that employ around 21,000 workers.
Despite the difficulties, the province is exploring various solutions to help its fishery businesses. By examining export activities and proposing solutions to ministries and authorities, Đồng Tháp Province aims to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and ensure the long-term growth of its fishery sector.
