Mekong Delta - Prices of white leg shrimp slightly decrease

The second surge of coronavirus outbreak has made prices of commercial white leg shrimp in the Mekong Delta in early August slightly decrease compared to the average price in July.

Farm-gate prices decresed slighty to 69,000 dong/kg for 100 count shrimp; 80,000 dong for 80 count shrimp; 100.000 dong for 50 count shrimp, which meant a fall of between 5,000-10,000 dong on average in comparision with the levels seen during the previous month.

On the other hand, prices of black tiger shrimp have been stable for months. Prices remained 150.000 dong/kg for 40 shrimp count; 175.000 dong for 30 shrimp count and 205.000 dong for 20 shrimp count.

The Mekong Delta has suffered from devastating drought and salt intrusion earlier this year, according to the Directorate of Fisheries. Furthermore, off-season rains disrupting the environment of grow-out ponds and temperature differences between day and night badly impacted the courses of shrimp stocking, resulting in unsteady prices of commercial shrimps during the last few months. However, local provinces have proactively set up stocking schedule in accordance with the actual situation.

Farmers may face a lot of difficulties in shrimp cultivation from now till the end of the year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development forecasts. Not only will climate change impact the farming, but the unpredictable and unexpected intrusion of saline water may be the root of fluctuating prices of commercial shrimps in the next few months.