Businesses and aquaculture farmers need to work closely together.

In the trend of needing to proactively secure raw materials for processing and export, domestic businesses have increased investment in aquaculture over the past three years. As a result, small-scale farmers are facing increasing difficulties in selling their products.

Talk withNTNNAccording to Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), the current link between seafood processing and export businesses and farmers is limited to providing market and price information.

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Mr. Hoè stated that in the pangasius industry, businesses have now organized their own farming areas, meeting approximately 60% of the raw material demand. Meanwhile, shrimp processing and export businesses are also developing raw material areas with closed-loop farming processes to manage risks from antibiotics and chemicals in export products from the input stage; at the same time, ensuring increasingly better quality raw materials to meet the requirements of importing countries.

"Does this mean that farmers who raise shrimp and fish independently now have to fend for themselves in selling their products?" In response to this question, Mr. Hoè stated: The link between businesses and farmers is also related to market supply and demand. Clearly, a business cannot survive without raw materials; however, to develop, businesses must find the best suppliers. The link between businesses and farmers must stem from the needs of both sides.

In fact, when farmers produce products, if they meet the company's standards and agree to the company's price, it's a "win-win" situation. When businesses see the need for specific links with farmers, they will proceed with cooperation. "Currently, the relationship between businesses and farmers is stable, therefore, in my opinion, it's not necessary to introduce additional written or administrative requirements in the cooperation between farmers and businesses," Mr. Hoè said.

The General Secretary of VASEP believes that, in the long run, businesses will continue to face raw material shortages. Therefore, businesses and farmers must sit down and discuss cooperation and prevent spontaneous farming practices from disrupting the overall planning.

According to (Vietnam Fisheries) - LC