A shrimp processing factory in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang (Photo: VNA)Can Tho (VNA) – An internationalconference was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on October 3 to discussways to improve the value of shrimp by-products in Vietnam.
In 2017, the country recorded more than 720,000tonnes in shrimp output, including some 320,000 tonnes of by-products, mostlyhead and shell. However, these by-products have been considered as waste,instead of being capitalised on to produce high-added-value products likechitin and chitosan used in food production, biological materials, healthcareand agriculture.
Trang Sy Trung, Rector of Nha Trang University,said if shrimp by-products are thought of as raw materials, they can be used tocreate better products in multiple fields.
Participants in the event pointed to a lack ofhigh technology in processing shrimp by-products. Current processing activitiesfocus on shrimp flesh while ignoring the head and shell.
Trung said if by-products are not processedproperly, they will be a source of environmental pollution. Meanwhile, shrimphead and shell contain nutritional values that can be used to manufacturehigh-value products.
“If we invest in technology in an appropriatemanner to turn shrimp by-products into the abovementioned products, majorbenefits will be generated for the country,” he added.
Echoing this view, Nguyen Manh Dung, a formerofficial at the Agro Processing and Market Development of the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development, said shrimp by-products are a problem inmany processing facilities, as they are a source of pollution. But if they areused for further processing, they will become a valuable source of materialsupply and a “gold mine” for the processing industry.
Shrimp farming has expanded from 640,000ha in2010 to 720,000ha in 2017, raising output from 470,000 tonnes to 723,000tonnes.
The shrimp sector now plays a leading role inVietnam’s agriculture and is also a big foreign currency earner. Shrimp exportshave accounted for up to 50 percent of total aquatic exports in recent years,reaching 3 – 4 billion USD annually. It has helped boost socio-economicdevelopment in the country as well as the Mekong Delta – the aquaculture hub ofVietnam.
The conference, held by the Ministry of Scienceand Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was partof the technology demonstration and supply – demand connection event in Can Thofrom October 3 to 5.-VNA
In 2017, the country recorded more than 720,000tonnes in shrimp output, including some 320,000 tonnes of by-products, mostlyhead and shell. However, these by-products have been considered as waste,instead of being capitalised on to produce high-added-value products likechitin and chitosan used in food production, biological materials, healthcareand agriculture.
Trang Sy Trung, Rector of Nha Trang University,said if shrimp by-products are thought of as raw materials, they can be used tocreate better products in multiple fields.
Participants in the event pointed to a lack ofhigh technology in processing shrimp by-products. Current processing activitiesfocus on shrimp flesh while ignoring the head and shell.
Trung said if by-products are not processedproperly, they will be a source of environmental pollution. Meanwhile, shrimphead and shell contain nutritional values that can be used to manufacturehigh-value products.
“If we invest in technology in an appropriatemanner to turn shrimp by-products into the abovementioned products, majorbenefits will be generated for the country,” he added.
Echoing this view, Nguyen Manh Dung, a formerofficial at the Agro Processing and Market Development of the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development, said shrimp by-products are a problem inmany processing facilities, as they are a source of pollution. But if they areused for further processing, they will become a valuable source of materialsupply and a “gold mine” for the processing industry.
Shrimp farming has expanded from 640,000ha in2010 to 720,000ha in 2017, raising output from 470,000 tonnes to 723,000tonnes.
The shrimp sector now plays a leading role inVietnam’s agriculture and is also a big foreign currency earner. Shrimp exportshave accounted for up to 50 percent of total aquatic exports in recent years,reaching 3 – 4 billion USD annually. It has helped boost socio-economicdevelopment in the country as well as the Mekong Delta – the aquaculture hub ofVietnam.
The conference, held by the Ministry of Scienceand Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was partof the technology demonstration and supply – demand connection event in Can Thofrom October 3 to 5.-VNA
VNA
