Strengthening linkages for sustainable development of pangasius sector

An Giang has long been regarded as the “capital” of pangasius farming and exports. The Mekong Delta region currently has over 5,700 ha of pangasius farming area, producing around 1.4 million tons per year and generating more than USD 2 billion in export revenue. An Giang alone maintains nearly 1,500 ha of farming area, with a projected output of 10,500 tons of commercial pangasius in 2025. This sector not only provides stable employment for hundreds of thousands of workers but also makes a significant contribution to the province’s economic growth.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, to achieve its agricultural growth target of 4.8% in 2025, the fisheries sector, where pangasius plays a leading role, is identified as a key driver. The province also aims to develop a three-tier pangasius breeding center for the Mekong Delta, increasing fry production by 50 million to meet the region’s growing demand for nursery and commercial farming.

In parallel, An Giang is implementing the 2025–2030 High-Tech Aquaculture Development Project, focusing on building a closed-loop value chain from seed production to commercial farming, processing and distribution. The goal is to make An Giang a leading regional hub for research and technology transfer in pangasius farming.

However, to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth, An Giang still faces numerous challenges such as rising production costs, aquatic diseases, feed price volatility and stringent environmental and traceability standards imposed by importing markets.

Mr. Tran Vu Em, Head of the Pangasius Fry Association of Phu Hoa Commune, An Giang, stated that pangasius farmers are currently facing capital constraints and high production costs. Many small-scale households need preferential loans to renovate ponds and invest in bio-secure farming systems.

Echoing this view, Mr Le Chi Binh, Vice Chairman of the An Giang Aquatic Products Association, shared that linkages in the pangasius value chain remain weak, leaving farmers vulnerable to market fluctuations. Meanwhile, enterprises face high costs in obtaining international certifications, such as ASC, HACCP, and BRC, to maintain their export competitiveness.

The Association recommends that the province strengthen policies encouraging enterprises to invest in raw-material zones, support certification costs and promote trade in emerging markets such as South America, the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, a risk-insurance mechanism is needed for pangasius farmers to cope with price volatility and disease outbreaks.

To overcome these “bottlenecks,” many An Giang enterprises, such as Nam Viet and Vinh Hoan, have invested heavily in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and automated farm management technologies. The processing sector is simultaneously shifting toward higher-value-added products such as premium fillets, fish balls, collagen, fish oil and animal feed, maximizing by-product use and boosting export value.

Some enterprises have also partnered with research institutes to develop environmentally friendly products, reduce carbon emissions and optimize water efficiency. Initiatives such as combining pangasius farming with solar energy and adopting “circular agriculture” models are being tested with promising results, contributing to the province’s green-growth objectives.

Mr. Doan Toi, General Director of Nam Viet Corporation, noted that by fully utilizing finished products and by-products, Vietnam’s pangasius export value could easily exceed USD 2 billion annually.        

Alongside enterprise efforts, the An Giang authorities are intensifying the planning of bio-secure farming zones and investing in irrigation, transport and electricity infrastructure to support concentrated farming areas. The agricultural sector is also accelerating the issuance of farm codes and implementing electronic traceability systems, thereby facilitating access to high-end export markets for enterprises.

According to Mr Le Huu Toan, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, the sustainable development of An Giang’s pangasius sector requires strong coordination among the government, enterprises, scientists, and farmers. The government formulates policies and legal frameworks; enterprises invest in technology and market expansion; scientists transfer technical innovations; and farmers adhere to VietGAP and ASC standards while protecting the ecological environment.

When all links in the value chain work in harmony, the pangasius sector will not only sustain An Giang’s role as a leading export hub but also stand as a symbol of prosperity, green growth, and sustainable development for the entire Mekong Delta region.