Leveraging the strengths of seafood processing.

(Baonghean) - Visiting the seafood purchasing, processing, and export facility of Mr. Cao Thanh Thuy in Quyet Thanh hamlet, even though it was almost noon, many workers were still busy with their work. This is the largest seafood purchasing and processing facility in Dien Bich commune. To ensure the quality of goods for export, shrimp, fish, squid, crab, etc., are cleaned, processed, and dried.

Mr. Thuy said: The seafood at his facility is purchased from fishermen within and outside the commune. From August to December, the weather is cool and stable, and it's not the breeding season for fish and crabs, so the quantity and quality of seafood caught by fishermen are higher and tastier. His facility purchases nearly 2 tons of seafood per day. For pre-ordered contracts with boat owners, he selects only the best types such as cuttlefish, squid, various types of scallops, grouper, tiger prawns, and shrimp. Mr. Thuy added: In recent years, the demand from China has been quite strong and unrestricted. They prefer our processed seafood because of its rich flavor, freshness, and acceptable price.

To maintain his market share, he consistently ensures both quantity and quality for his customers. Currently, prices are as follows: cuttlefish at 800,000 VND/kg, grade 1 dried squid at 420,000 VND/kg, grade 2 and 3 dried squid at 300,000 VND/kg and up, grade 1 sunfish at 500,000 VND/kg, and tiger prawns and shrimp at 200,000-300,000 VND/kg. Each year, his business exports 4-5 shipments, each shipment containing approximately 3-5 quintals (100-500 kg), at an average price of 40 million VND/quintal. After deducting expenses, his business earns over 200 million VND per year. In addition, he provides regular employment for 6-8 local workers, with salaries of 3-4 million VND per person per month.

Frozen fish sales service in Dien Bich (Dien Chau).

In Dien Bich, seafood processing facilities also advance money to fishermen to guarantee the quantity of orders. Every year, Mr. Thuy's facility provides advance payments to fishing boats before they set sail, around 30-50 million VND per boat. Thanks to this, his facility always has a steady supply of raw materials for processing. Many other owners of seafood purchasing and processing facilities for export, such as Mr. Hoang Duc Dung in Quyet Thanh hamlet, Ms. Hoang Thi Vien in Quyet Thang hamlet, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Trung in Hai Dong hamlet, have also contributed capital to build new fishing boats with fishermen. This approach is considered a new development in the marine exploitation industry of the people of Dien Bich.

To date, Dien Bich commune has over 199 fishing vessels, including 62 boats with a capacity of 90 horsepower or more (an increase of 7 large-capacity vessels compared to 2011). The entire commune currently employs over 1,000 people directly involved in fishing at sea. The total catch from the fishing industry reaches approximately 7,000 tons per year, generating tens of billions of dong in value. Seafood products such as miscellaneous fish, shrimp, jellyfish, and small crabs are processed and consumed locally. Higher-value products are sent to purchasing facilities for drying or freezing for export.

Furthermore, expanding the domestic frozen seafood market and procurement network has contributed to increasing the production and revenue of these establishments. Currently, Dien Bich commune has 17 seafood export purchasing facilities and 5 frozen seafood purchasing facilities, with a total export volume of over 2,000 tons per year and revenue exceeding 40 billion VND per year. In addition, 16 family-scale seafood processing facilities have contributed to producing thousands of liters of fish sauce and various types of shrimp paste, bringing in billions of VND in revenue annually for the local people.

According to Mr. Thach Dinh Nghia, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bich commune: To date, the proportion of income from the purchase, processing, and export of seafood accounts for 40-45% of the total revenue of the commune (108 billion VND/year), and the income of the people has increased from 13 million VND/person/year (2011) to 16 million VND/person/year. In particular, thanks to the development of the purchase, processing, and export of marine seafood, the commune has created jobs for hundreds of unemployed agricultural workers in the locality.

Despite challenging conditions, Dien Bich has focused its investment and prioritized the development of seafood processing and export in the right direction, contributing to the restructuring of the local labor force. This has created jobs, generated significant income for the people, and contributed to changing the face of the coastal rural area.

Text and photos: Luong Mai