Ten facilities in Vietnam’s Binh Thuan province have been officially certified as disease-free by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine as of August 2024.

Disease-Free Certification and Testing

The certification of these 10 shrimp seed production and breeding facilities stems from a broader effort to implement disease control measures in aquaculture. According to Do Thi Huong, Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Binh Thuan, the program is part of the 2024 aquatic animal disease prevention plan. Under this initiative, 103 samples of farmed aquatic products—including shrimp seeds, brackish water shrimp for commercial farming, and freshwater fish—were collected and tested. The results confirmed the absence of dangerous pathogens.

This testing regime is vital for maintaining the quality of shrimp seeds and ensuring the biosecurity of the shrimp farming sector, which is critical for both domestic and international markets.

Debunking Concerns Over Shrimp Larvae Diseases

In addition to routine testing, the Department collaborated with the Veterinary Department of Region VI and the Binh Thuan Shrimp Association to investigate reports of a disease known as translucent postlarvae disease (TPD), which was said to be affecting shrimp larvae in some production facilities in Tuy Phong. Following thorough inspections, the Department found no evidence to support these claims, reassuring local shrimp producers of the health of their larvae stocks.

A Growing Industry: Leading Players in Shrimp Seed Production

The 10 certified disease-free facilities in Binh Thuan include prominent companies such as Vietnam High-Tech Aquatic Products Company Limited, Tran Hau Dien Aquatic Breeding Company Limited, and Xuan Bay Aquatic Breeding Production Company Limited. These companies adhere to the stringent regulations outlined in Circular No. 24, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in December 2022, which governs disease-safe animal breeding facilities and areas.

Binh Thuan’s shrimp seed production sector is a critical pillar of the province’s economy. Currently, Binh Thuan is home to 128 facilities and 763 farms, of which 108 facilities and 664 farms are qualified to produce and raise aquatic breeds. More than 50 companies with domestic investment capital, along with two foreign-invested firms, operate in the province. Additionally, 34 companies import white-leg shrimp broodstock from the United States and Thailand to ensure high-quality seed production.

A Vital Contribution to Vietnam’s Aquaculture Industry

Binh Thuan’s shrimp industry is a significant player in Vietnam’s broader aquaculture sector, producing and consuming over 25 billion shrimp breeds annually. As the demand for disease-free shrimp seeds continues to grow, the province’s commitment to maintaining stringent health standards is likely to bolster its reputation as a reliable source of high-quality shrimp seeds both domestically and abroad.