Hoang Mai: Processing nearly 6,800 tons of seafood

(Baonghean.vn) - Thanks to quality-assured raw materials and strict implementation of production processes, currently, Hoang Mai's seafood products have affirmed their brand.

Since the beginning of the year, Hoang Mai fishermen have exploited 16,000 tons of various types of seafood, which is an abundant source of raw materials for the local processing industry to rapidly increase output. The total output of processed seafood in the first 6 months of the year reached nearly 6,800 tons, including shrimp, dried fish, frozen, steamed, grilled and 4.5 million liters of fish sauce; the production value reached nearly 300 billion VND.

Steam anchovies in a double boiler.

At Thao Lam anchovy processing facility, Tan Dong block, Quynh Di ward, Hoang Mai town, batches of freshly steamed anchovies are transported by blue-wheeled vehicles to the drying yard. More than 10 workers quickly unload the fish, stacking them neatly into long rows.

Ms. Phan Thi Hue, who has been working here for more than 10 years, said: “September is the beginning of the anchovy season. Currently, it is off-season so the catch is not much. On average, the owner of the facility only steams 2-3 tons of anchovies per day. We workers are paid from 100,000 to 150,000 VND/person/day. During the main season, the facility steams 10-20 tons of anchovies per day, mobilizing more than 40 workers to work continuously. On such occasions, my monthly income is up to 6 million VND.”

Grilled fish is also a strong consumer product of Hoang Mai.

Ms. Thao Lam, the owner of the facility, said: “The dried anchovy product has not changed much in recent times compared to previous years. However, in the off-season, raw materials are scarce, so input prices have been pushed up, increasing by about 5%. The main output of this product is the domestic market and unofficial exports to China have also increased by 10-20%.”

Recently, products including anchovies, steamed mackerel, dried squid, crabs, snails, horseshoe crabs, fresh groupers... are the product groups that are "bought" quite a lot by Chinese and Laotian customers... The annual value of the processing industry is always high, creating jobs for thousands of local workers, especially female workers.

In the first 6 months of the year, processing facilities in Hoang Mai town produced 4.5 million liters of fish sauce for the market.

In addition, dried fish, dried squid, and dried squid also increased in price due to high demand in the summer. At the fresh seafood purchasing rafts along the Lach Con fishing port, purchasing activities are always bustling. Every time a ship arrives at the port, the main traders such as Chanh Cong and Minh Thinh at the Lach Con fishing port, Quynh Phuong ward quickly spread out to collect fresh products. This group of products includes grouper, crab, snail, and sea cucumber, all of which are high-priced export specialties, ranking first in terms of income for fishermen in the Quynh Phuong coastal area.

After collection, all seafood will be raised right on the raft, when there is enough quantity, it will be exported abroad to regular customers. Thanks to stable output and large source of goods, the agents do not limit the quantity, but collect all the products caught by Hoang Mai fishermen, creating conditions for fishermen to go offshore.

Nguyen Van