VIET NAM - Tra prices have shot up in the Mekong Delta as supply struggles to meet demand after farmers, hit by severe losses last year, stopped breeding the catfish.

VIET NAM - Spain’s Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs affirmed on 30 January that Vietnamese catfish meet food safety regulations set by the Europe Union (EU).

Catfish processors in Vietnam will have to breed their own supply of catfish or buy fish from breeders under an official supply contract signed in advance, according to Ngo Phuoc Hau, vice president of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

According to the development plan of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development submitted to the government at a meeting on Monday, the ministry sets a target of reaching USD 9.5 billion in exporting agricultural products in 2009. Forest product exports is expected to grow up to USD 3.7 billion and seafood export revenue up to USD 4.8 billion.

Price of fresh Vietnamese tra has surged in recent days with the first class fish selling at 15,500 VND (US$0.94) a kg on September 2 against 14,500 VND available in late August