Vietnam expects to export about 600,000 tonnes of tra fish in 2010, earning a turnover of 1.5 billion USD.
The country also strives to maintain this year’s cultivation acreage of over 6,000 hectares and an output of 1.2 million tonnes, equivalent to last year’s figures.
The agriculture sector in 2010 will focus on measures to improve the quality, value and effectiveness of tra fish for export in order to meet this target, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat.
He urged that more focus be brought to bear on markets, technical barriers and competitiveness as well as guidance to help tra raising farmers in terms of farming technology, environmental protection and implementation of regulations regarding the origins of aquatic products.
The Minister also stressed the necessity of issuing regulations on businesses involved in the export market, helping protect the Vietnamese tra fish trade mark on the international market as well as punish violations.
According to Minister Phat, the country should set up a tra fish association soon.
Earlier, the Prime Minister approved a scheme to develop tra fish production and consumption in the Mekong Delta through 2020.
Under the scheme, the total area of tra fish aquaculture will be developed from 11,000 ha in 2015 to 13,000 ha in 2020 mainly in Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Tien Giang and Dong Thap.
By 2015, the Mekong delta will be able to provide disease-free, high-quality tra fish. All tra fish for export and domestic consumption will be quarantined and certified for quality./.