Economic analysis of Pangasius catfish culture in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam : a case study in Vinh Long and Can Tho Provinces | |
| Author | Luu Tuong Ngoc Hieu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-08-30 |
| Subject(s) | Catfish fisheries--Economic aspects--Vietnam--Vinh Long Catfish fisheries--Economic aspects--Vietnam--Can Tho |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-08-30 |
| Abstract | Next to shrimp, Pangasius catfish farming is the most important aquaculture industry in Vietnam which contributes to US$ 1 billion export earnings and about I million employments in 2007. Characterized by high capital investment, commercial Pangasius farming is highly sensitive to market changes. This study evaluated the economic efficiency of Pangasius catfish farming in the Mekong Delta with a comparison of fillet ratio and profitability between pond and cage farming systems. Five cage farms and sixty pond farms in two provinces were interviewed during April - June 2008. Focusing on economic aspects, major parameters affecting profit in Pangasius pond culture were identified by sensitivity analysis under different scenarios. Focusing on economic aspects, major parameters affecting profit in Pangasius pond culture were identified by sensitivity analysis under different scenarios. SWOT analysis and a brief discussion of sustainability of Pangasius industry was also carried out. Based on actual economic data of 15 farms in 2008, a sensitivity table of break-even price in Pangasius pond culture with various hypothesized cases of FCR and feed price was generated. Although the proportion of flesh colors were not significantly different, raw fillet ratio from cages was statistically lower than that from the ponds. From an economic viewpoint, lower farm-gate price and yield were the two major weakness of Pangasius cage culture system. Sensitivity analysis showed that farm-gate price, feed cost and fish yield were the three main factors that affected profit in Pangasius catfish farming. Among production cost components, feed cost was the main factor that significantly affected break-even price of grow-out farms. The results from this study indicated that Pangasius cage culture in the Mekong Delta has been replaced rapidly by pond culture due to both technical and economic weaknesses. Moreover, Pangasius crisis in 2008 showed that the economic efficiency of pond culture was highly volatile and vulnerable to any market changes. The sustainability of Pangasius industry still requires a lot of efforts from its major value chain and other concerned authorities. |
| Year | 2008 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-08-30 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bart, Amrit;Shivakoti, Ganesh; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Netherlands; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008 |