Nghe An farmers cling to winter shrimp crop, waiting for market price increase

People in Quynh Luu district actively take care of winter shrimp. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At this time, in the commercial shrimp farming areas of Quynh Luu, Dien Chau... many shrimp pond owners are actively taking care of winter shrimp, waiting for harvest day.

Mr. Ho Chi Thao in hamlet 2, Quynh Luong commune is raising fish in 3 ponds.winter shrimp, said that he had just gone through 2 farming seasons with insignificant profits, because the shrimp price dropped to 110,000 VND/kg, and the price of feed increased. However, experience shows that at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, the shrimp price often increases, so his family still boldly invested in releasing the fry. Up to now, the shrimp are 4 months old, weighing about 80 shrimp/kg, currently the shrimp price has increased to 140,000 VND/kg, but the family has not sold, but is waiting to sell on the occasion ofChristmasand New Year.

“To keep the shrimp safe from disease, the family often has someone watching over them 24/7 to monitor their condition and feed them enough nutrients to help them gain weight,” Mr. Thao shared.

For Mr. Ho Mau Thanh, the owner of a shrimp pond in Quynh Luong commune, the shrimp have only been released for a month, and it will take...Lunar New Yearcan only be sold. “In the winter, the weather is cold, the shrimp grow slowly, so the farming period lasts 4-5 months to reach a weight of less than 100 shrimp/kg for harvest. However, the price of shrimp at this time is often high, so there is profit. Like previous years, before, during and after Tet, the price of shrimp often jumps to 180,000 - 200,000 VND/kg but there are still no sales,” said Mr. Thanh.

Although winter shrimp farming takes a long time, it sells for a good price so farmers make a profit. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tue - Chairman of Quynh Luong Commune People's Committee, the locality has nearly 50 hectares of shrimp farming ponds, but this winter crop, there are only about 2 hectares for farming. The reason for the small farming area this winter crop is because the main crop's commercial shrimp price has dropped sharply, most shrimp farming households are losing money, so they dare not farm anymore. However, with the small area for winter shrimp farming, it is predicted that shrimp prices will increase at the end of the year.

Quynh Luu DistrictThere are nearly 600 hectares of shrimp ponds. According to the district's Department of Agriculture, this winter crop, the whole district has about 50 hectares of shrimp farming. Of which, some areas will be harvested during Christmas, some will be harvested during Lunar New Year and after Tet. Mr. Bui Xuan Truc - Deputy Head of the district's Department of Agriculture said that shrimp farming in the third crop, like previous years, the price of commercial shrimp is usually high, so although the farming density is low and growth is slow, farmers still make a profit.

Dien Chau district has a large area for winter shrimp farming. Farmers release shrimp in different seasons so they often have harvests. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Dien Chau district has 324 hectares of commercial shrimp ponds, of which many families raise winter shrimp. According to Mr. Le The Hieu - Head of the district's Agriculture Department, this winter crop, in addition to 10 hectares of ponds in net houses, there are also about 90 hectares of outdoor ponds for commercial shrimp farming. Because people have experience in shrimp farming, they do not release shrimp all at once, but spread them out, so shrimp are often sold at much higher prices than the main crop.

Nghe AnThere are currently 2,234 hectares of brackish shrimp farming, concentrated in Quynh Luu, Dien Chau districts... and Hoang Mai town. Previously, people only raised shrimp in the main season in spring and summer. However, later, due to investment in ponds and the application of care techniques, many people raised shrimp all year round with 3 crops.

Experts in the field of aquaculture believe that successful winter shrimp farming will bring great economic value. Because this is a difficult farming season, with high risks due to weather and diseases, and few farmers, the selling price is much higher than that of main-season shrimp.

During the rearing process, care techniques are required. When the temperature drops, it is necessary to reduce both the quantity and frequency of feeding; feed 2-3 times a day. Periodically check environmental factors every morning and afternoon. If the environmental factor index is outside the appropriate threshold, immediate measures must be taken.