Pangasius, new toast of aquaculture industry

Pangasius, a species of catfishes of the order of Siluriformes and of the family Pangasiidae, is fast emerging as the new toast of the aquaculture industry.

The quality of pangasius is comparable to the higher-priced salmon. Its meat is now a common menu in fine restaurants and fast food chains. Growing and processing pangasius can be a very profitable project since it grows fast and is easier to raise than tilapia, and has a wide potential market domestically and in the export market. Thus, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is prioritizing the development of the pangasius catfish production industry as a viable livelihood and lucrative business that can attract more investments and create more jobs in Laguna.

As a first step, the DTI led a 20-man delegation to Vietnam for a four-day benchmarking on the country’s pangasius industry in July last year. DTI Calabarzon Regional Diector Marilou Quinco-Toledo, representing seven of the regions all over the country headed the delegation along with players in the local pangasius industry, executives of local governments and the academe in visiting farm and processing facilities for pangasius in Can Tho and Ho Chi Min cities. They observed, interacted and learned more from the Vietnamese aquaculture and processing companies. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.