Mekong Delta to export 600,000 tonnes of tra fish in 2010

Mekong Delta provinces aim to export 600,000 tonnes of tra fish in 2010 and earn US$1.5 billion, up nearly US$160 million compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

To achieve this goal, the Mekong Delta region will expand the tra breeding area to 8,600 hectares this year, 2,440 hectares more than in 2008. The expansion will be mostly in Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Can Tho.

Local authorities asked farmers to breed high-yield tra fish (with an average productivity of 140-250 tonnes/hectare/year) in areas of more than 10 hectares to prevent environmental pollution and create closer links between farmers and processors.

In addition, Mekong Delta provinces will create better conditions for local farmers to expand domestic consumption through wholesale fish markets, restaurants and hotels.

To ensure an adequate long-term supply of tra fish, MARD plans to develop four high-quality breeding farms in An Giang, Dong Thap, Ben Tre and Can Tho. The Ministry has also approved a zoning plan for breeding tra fish in nine provinces and cities namely An Giang, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and Can Tho.

VOVNews

Tags: Vietnam Seafood, Vietnam seafood exports, Vietnam Tra fish exports