Positive signs for Sapa rainbow trout as prices pick up
Phan Phu Seng, an owner of a fish farm in Sapa said they had to sell all big fish not long ago at a cheap price.
"It's still lucky, we could hardly find any customer then. And you can't gamble with the rainbow trout. Once they get pregnant, the meat is not as good anymore. They will die giving birth and we didn't know when the outbreak would end," he said.
According to the farmers, rainbow trout live in cold and clean water. The farmers need good techniques and investment as fish feed alone for a small farm can cost millions of VND.
Lao Cai Province has 150 rainbow trout fish farm, most of them are in Sa Pa, Bat Xat, Van Ban and Lao Cai. However, there are also many small farms. Small farm owners have to sell the fish as quickly as possible when the outbreak started in order to pay bank loans.
Pham Van Quang, deputy head of Lao Cai Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, said there were still 250 tonnes of rainbow trout fish meat in the inventory and they had had many measures in order boost consumption. Via the Safe Agricultural Product Association and Cold-water Fish Association, Lao Cai authorities have been able to connect with Big C supermarket chain, Bien Dong DHS Company and Gia Phat Company to process and sell rainbow trout.
Big C Supermarket has launched a Sapa Rainbow Trout Fish Week and sells at least two tonnes each day. In the long run, Lao Cai People's Committee will have policies to attract processing firms to promote rainbow trout brands and prices.
Quang said, "We have been able to sell half of the inventory. There are 100-120 tonnes left but there's no worry since transportation has returned to normal, and the Reunification Holiday is near."
