Proposal to develop salt-tolerant pangasius in Can Tho

On April 20, during a working session between the Can Tho People’s Committee, De Heus, and Hung Nhon Group to prepare resources for the 2026 - 2036 investment plan, the development of salt-tolerant pangasius was proposed as a strategic direction. The initiative is expected to help Can Tho maximize the sector’s potential amid climate change.

According to Nguyen Thi My Dung, Aquaculture Director of De Heus Group, Can Tho is currently considered one of the “centers” for pangasius farming, processing, and export in the Mekong Delta, thanks to the presence of many large-scale enterprises.

This city’s one vital limitation is the relatively small farming area, while processing factories have developed rapidly. Following the administrative merger, additional land resources provide favorable conditions for the city to develop synchronized farming areas linked with processing, thereby completing the value chain.

In recent years, De Heus has collaborated with Can Tho University - College of Aquaculture to develop a salt-tolerant pangasius strain capable of withstanding salinity levels of up to 10‰. The breeding process has reached the second generation and continues to be refined. These fish are raised under conditions similar to freshwater species, with gradually increased salinity, enabling adaptation to fluctuating brackish environments typical of coastal areas of Can Tho. Initial results show fast growth rates and good flesh quality.

The salt-tolerant pangasius fingerlings have been supplied to East Sea Seafoods Limited Liability Company for pilot farming at multiple households in Cu Lao Dung commune (Can Tho). The company is also building a dedicated brand for this product, with expectations of enhancing value and export prices in the near future.

Director Dung highly regards the model’s strong potential, noting that it helps farmers reduce dependence on natural conditions. With the strain’s ability to adapt to brackish water, farmers can increase the number of farming cycles per year instead of just one, improving livelihoods and ensuring stable input supply for enterprises.

De Heus offers technological solutions to modernize farming areas through automation and IoT applications, helping reduce costs and labor. If Can Tho can plan concentrated farming zones for salt-tolerant pangasius, it would create an opportunity for sustainable development aligned with evolving market demands.

Beyond this proposal, De Heus and Hung Nhon will survey locations and prepare resources to implement green agriculture and circular economy investment plans for 2026 - 2036. The two groups are particularly interested in finding partners to develop and produce high-quality, disease-free catfish (pangasius and basa) with strong productivity.

In Can Tho, De Heus currently operates three feed mills for aquaculture, livestock, and poultry, with a total capacity of 500,000 tons per year, generating over USD 200 million in annual revenue. These facilities provide stable employment for more than 500 local workers.

Truong Canh Tuyen, Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, says that after the administrative merger, agriculture still accounts for approximately 22% of Can Tho’s economic structure. The city’s total aquaculture output is nearly 782,000 tons, of which pangasius accounts for 263,500 tons, indicating significant potential for cooperation with De Heus and Hung Nhon.

The city leader affirmed the city's readiness to allocate land and water resources for aquaculture projects (both freshwater and marine), while offering maximum support to investors through streamlined administrative procedures and a transparent investment environment. With the city’s advantages and the two groups' investment experience, he is confident that the aquaculture and mariculture sectors will develop in a modern, sustainable direction.

Hung Nhon Group has strengths in high-tech livestock farming, with 15 large-scale projects in livestock production, food processing, and fertilizers across the southern and Central Highlands regions, with a total investment of up to VND 12.4 trillion. De Heus is a leading enterprise in high-quality livestock and aquaculture breeding.

The De Heus - Hung Nhon partnership has been established and developed for over 15 years. For the 2026 - 2036 period, the two groups will continue expanding investments in breeding, feed production, fertilizers, food processing, and integrated agricultural value chains in Vietnam.