Building linkage chains to create green value for Vietnamese tilapia

According to Mr. Nguyen Dang Ngoc, Deputy General Director of Viet Nhat Group, sustainable values are becoming an urgent requirement in many international markets. Therefore, building linkage chains to create green value has become a key task of enterprises and production units.

For Viet Nhat Group, during the processing and export of tilapia products to key markets with stringent requirements, the company has implemented many solutions to build a green value chain, from broodstock and feed to farming and processing.

Regarding broodstock, Viet Nhat Group has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Bao Loc Company, China's leading enterprise in high-quality tilapia broodstock production. Under this agreement, the two sides will establish a Center for Research, Development, and Commercialization of High-Quality Tilapia Broodstock in Viet Nam, scheduled to be implemented in 2025. Notably, this will be Bao Loc's only tilapia broodstock research and development center outside China, reflecting the company's trust and its long-term commitment to cooperation with Viet Nhat Group.

Regarding aquaculture feed products, Viet Nhat Group's factories are implementing processes for importing raw materials, processing, and production aligned with BAP standards. The company expects to obtain BAP certification for its aquaculture feed products in 2025.

Following that, in 2026, Viet Nhat aims to complete and achieve ASC certification for all aquaculture feed products produced at its factories, affirming its commitment to sustainable development in the fisheries value chain.

All raw materials used in Viet Nhat Group’s aquaculture feed are carefully selected, with priority given to highly sustainable sources. For example, the company uses soybean products imported from the U.S., which have already been certified under the SSAP sustainable production standard.

For products that require fishmeal, Viet Nhat uses Marine Trust-certified fishmeal, a standard recognized by the BAP certification organization, thereby ensuring traceability and sustainability throughout the production chain.

Regarding farming areas, Viet Nhat Group is developing and expanding linkages with clearly zoned areas that meet standards and can fully trace the farming process. This is an important step in building the green value chain, aimed at promoting sustainable production and meeting the requirements of major export markets.

Viet Nhat Group's technical and support service units always accompany farmers throughout the production process, monitoring, providing care, and ensuring optimal health for tilapia. At the same time, Viet Nhat collaborates with farmers to implement international certification standards, such as GlobalGAP and BAP, and aims to achieve ASC certification. Once farming areas meet these standards, they become a crucial link in forming linkage chains and creating green value for the products.

In processing, Viet Nhat Group is currently engaged in strategic cooperation with Bach Duong Group (China) to build and operate tilapia processing plants. Bach Duong Group is China's leading unit in tilapia fillet processing and export to international markets.

According to the plan, Viet Nhat will develop a system of tilapia fillet processing plants in the Northern region (Hung Yen) and expand to the Central region (Thanh Hoa and Phu Yen). All facilities will be designed and operated in accordance with BAP standards to meet the strict requirements of import markets.

The total processing capacity of Viet Nhat’s plants reaches around 235 tons of commercial tilapia per day. "Alongside our export orientation, Viet Nhat Group pays special attention to the domestic market, as tilapia is a familiar, healthy food that suits Vietnamese tastes. Therefore, developing both domestic and international markets is considered a dual strategy that helps expand value and elevate the brand of Vietnamese tilapia," the Deputy General Director of Viet Nhat Group added.

According to Deputy General Director of Viet Nhat Group Nguyen Dang Ngoc, Vietnamese tilapia is particularly fresh, delicious, and nutrient-rich, on par with any premium fish product such as salmon. Therefore, optimizing product quality and reducing production costs are critical internal foundations that help Viet Nam's tilapia industry enhance its competitiveness in international markets. At the same time, both meeting export standards and supplying high-quality products to the domestic market is a sustainable pathway that delivers long-term value to the entire value chain and to each participating enterprise.