HCM City eyes US$23 million from ornamental fish exports

The five-day event, held by the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, aims to seek new markets for the city’s ornamental fish sector.

As many as 200 fish ponds were set up at the event, introducing various ornamental fish species with high economic value, including neon ornamental fish, koi fish and mollusc, among others.

The festival also offered chances for ornamental fish businesses to meet, update on advanced technologies and seek partners.

Experiences in fish breeding and safe production models in new-style rural communes were shared at the event, in addition to an area providing counseling on ornamental fish markets for businesses and visitors.

HCM City is striving to produce 180 million ornamental fish and export about 21 million fish this year, raking in US$23 million.

The city’s ornamental fish is exported to 43 countries and territories around the world, with the EU market accounting for 54%.

According to the fisheries branch of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the first nine months of 2018, the city shipped abroad 137 million ornamental fish, up 19.13% year on year.