Due to low domestic demand and decreasing market opportunities, pangasius production for 2013 is expected to be down by 30 per cent.
Farmers are also struggling with rising feed prices and the constant threat of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS).
Although sales prices are increasing, they are not growing as quickly as feed prices. The cost of production for 2013 is roughly 22,000 dong/kilo, whilst farmgate sales prices are around 19,500- 21,000 dong/kilo.
The government is supporting the aquaculture industry, encouraging investment from banks. However, with past problems of fraudulent claims to owning farms eating up some of the $1.8 billion allocated to aquaculture, banks are unlikely to invest as much as they have previously.
