Restructuring the tra (pangasius) fish industry in Mekong Delta provinces has been defined as a long-term process that requires regional cooperation, especially close coordination between farmers, businesses and banks.

While Vietnam accounts for a major share on global tra fish export market, with its products being sold to 149 countries and territories, the sector in the region has encountered numerous difficulties over the past three years.

A reduction in breeding area and output, the imbalance between supply and demand and fluctuating market prices have all posed challenges, the Steering Committee for the South-West region reported at a May 29 working session in Can Tho city. Also present at the talks were a delegation from the Central Economics Committee.

The restructuring should, therefore, focus on financial issues and the management capacity of local breeders and businesses.

Deputy Head of the Central Economics Committee, Le Vinh Tan, said the restructuring must improve the quality of products, reinforce trust from customers, and increase benefits for those involved.

It also aims to ensure links between the production and distribution stages as well as between farmers and businesses, Tan said.

In the first four months of this year, the Mekong Delta region harvested 253,000 tonnes of tra fish in a farming area of 2,814 ha.

The provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Ben Tre and Can Tho city remain the largest producers, accounting for 85 percent of the total area and output of the whole region.-VNA