Supporting the growth of aquaculture output in Cuba

Within the framework of a working visit to Cuba from September 14-18, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien paid a visit and held discussions at the Ministry of Food Industry of Cuba, where Minister Alberto Lopez Dias and First Deputy Minister Javier Francisco Aguiar Rodríguez received the delegation.

The two sides reviewed, evaluated, and addressed obstacles in Phase 3 of the aquaculture cooperation project, enabling the fulfillment of set objectives and exploring the replication of aquaculture models.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highly appreciated the close coordination between the two ministries in implementing aquaculture support projects for Cuba since 2009. “After the completion of Phases 1 and 2, the aquaculture development support project for Cuba was evaluated by both ministries as highly successful, contributing significantly to improving the country’s aquaculture capacity,” he said.

Phase 3 of the aquaculture support project, running until 2027, aims to strengthen resources and establish farming models for Cuba’s key aquaculture species. The project includes components such as tilapia farming at La Juventus in Pinar del Rio Province; whiteleg shrimp farming at Cultisur in Camagüey Province; and spiny lobster farming at Carahatas in Villa Clara Province.

The two sides have already developed pilot models, including the ongoing spiny lobster farming model, which has shown encouraging initial results. Around 2,000 lobsters are being cultured in cages, with an average weight of 600–800 grams per lobster. The current stock is estimated at 1.5 tons. By 2025, the models are expected to yield 60–70 tons of tilapia, 60 tons of whiteleg shrimp, and 3.5 tons of spiny lobster.

In addition, more than 200 Cuban technical staff have been trained in seed production and commercial farming techniques for tilapia and whiteleg shrimp, as well as in lobster seed collection and farming. According to the Cuban Deputy Minister, the country is currently advancing techniques for farming marine species and hopes that Vietnam will help train technicians for an existing aquaculture technology development center in Cuba.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the Cuban Ministry of Food Industry create favorable conditions for the clearance of aquaculture feed materials, support working and living conditions for Vietnamese experts in Cuba, and remove obstacles to ensure the cooperation project is implemented effectively and on schedule. At the same time, he suggested that the Ministry direct relevant units to coordinate in conducting surveys and assessments of the current situation, the feasibility of maintaining and scaling up technical support models, thereby providing a basis for reporting to the Governments of both countries.

The Cuban side requested that Vietnam continue to provide attention and support for the aquaculture development project in Cuba in Phase 4.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien acknowledged this proposal and further suggested that the Cuban Ministry of Food Industry appoint a focal point to work closely with the Department of International Cooperation and the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. I, in order to evaluate the achievements of the aquaculture project to date, review outstanding issues that need to be addressed, and on that basis, formulate directions for sustainable agricultural and aquaculture development in Cuba in the coming period. This would also help identify areas where Vietnam can provide technical assistance and cooperation, as well as define plans for enterprise investment and business collaboration between the two sides.

Reaffirming commitments at both the State and ministerial levels, Vietnam emphasized that it always attaches great importance to, and is ready to further strengthen, comprehensive cooperation with Cuba, particularly in crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and food processing. At the same time, Vietnam expressed its readiness to share experiences from its own agricultural reform process in order to promote sustainable development with Cuba jointly.

Vietnam has a strong advantage in the production and export of AFF products. The country ranks among the world’s top 15 exporters of these commodities. Vietnamese agricultural products have been exported to more than 190 countries and territories, with export turnover reaching USD 62.58 billion in 2024. Vietnam’s agricultural, forestry, and fishery trade balance in 2024 recorded a surplus of USD 17.9 billion.