Protecting aquaculture zones against disease and market pressures

Adapting strategies amid dropping shrimp prices

The aquaculture zones in Vinh Long province recorded positive statistics in both farming areas and harvest volumes in the first half of 2026. However, behind these encouraging figures lies intense pressure from plunging shrimp prices, soaring input costs, and constant disease risks across key farming zones.

According to the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province targeted 92.420 hectares of aquaculture for 2026. By mid-year, farmers had stocked approximately 78.600 hectares (achieving 85.01% of the annual plan, a 2.8% increase year-on-year). Saltwater and brackish water farming remained dominant at 70.700 hectares, with black tiger shrimp accounting for 45.630 hectares.

Not only has the area under aquaculture increased, but the province's overall aquatic product output has also continued to grow. In the first six months of the year, Vinh Long harvested approximately 352.770 tons of aquatic products. Notably, the output of whiteleg shrimp farmed using high-tech methods reached 88.010 tons, equivalent to 52.18% of the annual plan. This result shows that farmers are becoming more proactive in applying techniques, managing the pond environment, and controlling disease risks.

However, the positive production results have not been accompanied by favorable market signals. The sharp drop in shrimp prices is causing many farmers, especially those investing in high-tech models, to reconsider their stocking schedules, harvesting times, and capital turnover plans.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhu, a high-tech shrimp farmer in Bao Thanh commune, Vinh Long province, currently manages 21 hectares of ponds. In the first half of 2026, his farm sold approximately 250 tons of commercial shrimp.

According to Mr. Nhu, thanks to the synchronized investment in bottom aeration systems, water treatment, seed control from reputable units, and the application of strict technical procedures, the success rate of the high-tech model is higher than that of traditional earthen ponds. However, the biggest difficulty currently lies not only in the technology but also in the fluctuating selling price.

Mr. Nhu said that shrimp prices have decreased by about 40.000 - 50.000 VND (USD 1.53 - 1.92)/kg  compared to the beginning of the year. Shrimp of size 30 pieces/kg are now only around 130.000 VND (USD 4.98)/kg, while production costs fluctuate between 100.000 - 110.000 VND (USD 3.83 - 4.22)/kg.

According to farmers, consumption in some export markets and major domestic distributors is slower than expected. In response to this situation, many households have proactively harvested their shrimp at a size of 40-50 shrimp per kilogram to shorten the rearing time, reduce input costs, minimize risks, and speed up capital turnover.

Proactively guarding against disease outbreaks

While market prices fluctuate, diseases remain an imminent threat. Since the beginning of the year, Vinh Long has recorded 581 hectares of damaged shrimp ponds. Mass mortalities occur predominantly when shrimp are between 20 and 50 days old and are strongly linked to white spot syndrome, red body disease, hepatopancreatic necrosis, and environmental instability.

Mr. Pham Minh Truyen, Deputy Director of the Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced that the province has deployed an aquatic disease prevention plan for 2026 backed by a budget of over 11.149 billion VND (USD 427.312).

According to Mr. Truyen, the plan's goal is to enhance the capacity for proactive warning and monitoring, early detection of outbreaks, rapid containment, and timely treatment from the outset, limiting the spread and thereby protecting production and minimizing losses for farmers.

In 2026, Vinh Long's agricultural sector will focus on three main groups of solutions. First, disease surveillance will begin at the seed stage by collecting and analyzing 180 shrimp seed samples, including 120 imported into the province and 60 produced within the province. This is a crucial step to detect dangerous agents early, before shrimp are introduced into commercial ponds.

In addition, the relevant authorities will monitor commercial farming areas with 360 shrimp samples from representative farming regions to track environmental changes and pathogens and provide timely warnings to farmers. The province is also preparing supplies to handle disease outbreaks, should they occur, including 30 tons of chlorine from the local budget and 90 tons from the national reserve.

In addition to monitoring and preparing supplies, the agricultural sector plans to organize 70 training courses for approximately 3.120 farmers, combined with seminars, communication, and direct guidance at the farm level to disseminate biosafety farming practices.

Establishing multi-layered biosecurity systems

From a breeding perspective, MSc. Cao Tuan Anh from the Can Tho Seafood Joint Stock Company emphasizes that true disease control must begin at the hatchery. Lethal pathogens such as white spot syndrome, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, and EHP can easily breach farms if hatchery biosecurity is compromised.

He argued that farmers often focus on managing the pond environment but sometimes neglect the quality of the broodstock. Meanwhile, if pathogens are present from the broodstock stage, the risk of outbreaks during commercial farming is very high.

To mitigate risks, broodstock production facilities need to build a multi-layered biosecurity system. First, 100% of broodstock shrimp must be PCR-tested for dangerous diseases before being used in production. Live feed sources need to be strictly controlled, limiting the use of naturally sourced feed that may carry pathogens, and must be properly treated before use.

In addition, nauplius (the first larval stage after hatching) needs to be disinfected before being transferred to rearing tanks. The water supply must be treated through a sedimentation and filtration system, and disinfected with chlorine and ozone before being used in production. Broodstock, spawning, nauplii holding, and nursery areas for shrimp should be separated to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

According to MSc. Cao Tuan Anh, shrimp farmers need to change their mindset in selecting broodstock. They should not only focus on the selling price but prioritize reputable production facilities with clear PCR test results for each batch of broodstock, uniform broodstock size (PL12 or larger).

USD 1 = 26.091 VND. Source: Vietcombank.