EU will support the entire pangasius supply chain, from hatcheries, feed producers and processors in Viet Nam to traders and end-use customers, including those in the EU, the largest export market for pangasius.—VNS Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The Viet Nam Cleaner Production Centre and Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) together with other partners on Friday launched a project to set up a sustainable tra (pangasius) supply-chain in Viet Nam.

The Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain project (SUPA) worth about EUR2.4 million (US$3.2 million), of which the EU has funded EUR1.9 million ($2.5 million), will be implemented by the Viet Nam Cleaner Production Centre, VASEP, World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Viet Nam) and WWF-Austria.

Speaking at the project launching ceremony, Berenice Muraille, development counselor of the delegation of the EU to Viet Nam, said the project would improve the competitiveness of Viet Nam's pangasius industry in the global market.

Under the project, the EU will support the entire pangasius supply chain, from hatcheries, feed producers and processors in Viet Nam to traders and end-use customers, including those in the EU, the largest export market for pangasius.

The four-year project, which ends in 2017, will focus on capacity-building; promotion of responsible production to increase product quality; mitigation of environmental impact and reduction of production costs, by applying Resources Efficiency and Cleaner Production methodologies; product innovation; and market development and promotion.

The project also supports information exchange and techniques for households and small- and medium-sized enterprises in applying the standards for sustainable production as outlined under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Global GAP (General Agricultural Practices) requirements. — VNS