Farming mitten crabs: High efficiency, vast market potential

Severe supply shortages amid high market demand

From traditional aquaculture areas, Minh Phu International Joint Stock Company (MICFOOD) is developing a mitten crab farming model, unlocking opportunities to elevate the economic value of freshwater farming zones in Hung Yen.

During a field trip alongside a delegation from the Department of Aquaculture and Forest Protection, the Hung Yen Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Hung Yen Fisheries Administration in early July 2026, we had the opportunity to visit MICFOOD's mitten crab farming model in Nam Cuong commune, Hung Yen Province.

Leading the delegation to tour the farming zone, Mr. Nguyen Van Thoan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Minh Phu International Joint Stock Company, shared that the enterprise's mitten crab farming area spans a total acreage of 108 hectares, of which approximately 75 hectares have been put into operational use for commercial farming.

According to Mr. Thoan, the enterprise began researching and developing the mitten crab farming model about three years ago. Following a trial period, this new species demonstrated excellent adaptability, high economic efficiency, and alignment with directions to transition from traditional aquaculture models toward higher-value options.

Currently, mitten crabs are stocked at a density of around 3 crabs per square meter. In 2025, the enterprise's commercial crab output reached over 30 tons. With selling prices ranging from 600.000 to 700.000 VND per kilogram, the model yields a profit margin of approximately 35-40% after deducting expenses.

Mitten crabs are famous for their delicious flavor and are an intensely nutrient-rich food source. The crab meat contains essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and trace elements, making it highly favored by consumers.

“The products currently serve the domestic market primarily. The consumption demand is immense; at many points, the supply cannot fully satisfy market needs,” Mr. Thoan further shared.

Building alliance chains to target export markets

The mitten crab, scientifically named Eriocheir sinensis and commonly known as the river crab or Chinese mitten crab, is distributed across multiple freshwater bodies in Northern Vietnam, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, and Hung Yen. This is a high-value aquaculture species, but successful cultivation requires specialized technical expertise and rigorous environmental management practices.

Mr. Thoan noted that since mitten crabs live primarily at the bottom layer, the pond environment must be pristine, and the bottom mud must not be polluted or generate toxic gases. Aquaculture ponds should be arranged with aquatic plants covering about 20-30% of the acreage to provide shelter and natural food sources for the crabs.

Among various aquatic plants, coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) is evaluated as the most suitable due to its rapid growth, ease of planting, and ability to provide vital hiding spots for crabs during their molting process, which limits cannibalism. Concurrently, the plants help regulate pond water temperatures, keeping it cool in summer and stable in winter.

Furthermore, coontail absorbs toxic gases, crab waste, and leftover feed in the pond, contributing to water purification. Because this plant species only develops at the bottom and does not blanket the surface, it guarantees sufficient light and oxygen penetration, creating a self-balancing ecosystem for the crabs to grow healthily.

According to Mr. Thoan, as mitten crabs are still a novel farming species, developing the model requires additional time to perfect technical workflows. MICFOOD is currently collaborating with Chinese experts and engineers to exchange experiences, acquire techniques, and master farming technology step by step.

“Feed is not a difficult issue right now, but breeding stocks and water environment control are the two most vital factors dictating the efficiency of mitten crab farming,” Mr. Thoan shared.

Beyond expanding commercial farming, MICFOOD is actively striving to construct alliance chains with local farmers and cooperatives by supplying breeding stocks, transferring techniques, accompanying them throughout the cultivation process, and guaranteeing output product buybacks.

The consumer market for mitten crabs remains vastly open. Alongside domestic demand, the enterprise is targeting Asian markets such as Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, where premium quality crab products are highly favored by consumers.

From a novel species, the mitten crab is demonstrating great potential to become a fresh direction in freshwater aquaculture restructuring, contributing to elevating value per unit area and establishing eco-friendly, sustainable farming models in Hung Yen.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Thoan, the enterprise currently utilizes mitten crab breeding stocks from two sources: a portion is imported, and the rest is derived from collaborative domestic artificial propagation research.

Notably, the enterprise is partnering with the Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (Hai Phong) to step-by-step secure a proactive source of breeding stocks, reducing dependence on external supplies. Initial results are evaluated as highly positive, opening up clear prospects for self-sufficient seed stocks to serve the development of domestic mitten crab farming zones in the coming time.

$ 1 = VND 26,462 - Source: Vietcombank.