Provinces in Vietnam ’s Mekong Delta plan to export 650,000 tonnes of tra fish this year, earning the region an expected 1.7–2 billion USD.

Six thousand hectares of aqua-cultural areas will be used to farm tra fish, mainly in Can Tho city and the provinces of Dong Thap, An Giang and Ben Tre.

The localities are striving to supply 4 billion quality fry and 3.3 million tonnes of fish foodstuff to farmers, who are also encouraged to work closely with production and consumption businesses to minimise their risk and costs.

The provinces will focus on using scientific technology in breeding, processing, preserving and diversifying products, as well as providing farmers with domestic and global market information.

They will also make it easier for farmers to expand domestic consumption with a variety of products and improve their access to credit.

In 2012, provinces in the Mekong Delta yielded 1.29 million tonnes of tra fish, and shipped 645,000 tonnes overseas.-VNA