HCM CITY — HCM City earned more than US$11.5 million from exporting 9.3 million ornamental fish in the first half of the year, a rise of 25 per cent in output and a surge of 52 per cent in revenue over the same period, according to the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The key markets include Europe (55 per cent of output) and Asia (31 per cent), followed by the US, Africa and the Middle East.

The surge in revenue was largely due to higher prices for pet fish exported to Europe and Asia, according to the department.

Dĩa fish (red discus fish) had one of the highest export values ($4.7 million, with more than 135,000 fish). Other popular exported ornamental fish include neon fish, molly fish, sailfin molly, and seven-coloured fish, Siamese fighting fish.

In 2015, the city exported 13 million ornamental fish and gained revenue of $12 million, doubling the 2010 figures, according to the department.

Under a programme to boost ornamental fish breeding development by 2020, the city will focus on increasing quantity and product value, upgrading the breeding infrastructure to prevent disease and protect the environment.

The city has set a target by 2020 to produce 150-180 million ornamental fish and export 40-50 million ornamental fish with export value of $40 million to $50 million.

To reach the target, the department needs to expand pet fish production area in districts 8, 9, 12, Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức, Củ Chi, Bình Chánh and Hóc Môn.

The city has also mapped out breeding and technical programmes and outlined a roadmap to enhance ornamental fish development.

Along with setting up linkages between production and consumption, the city will also build a website that will introduce ornamental fish breeding farms and enterprises to customers.

The industry will also create efficient production models that provide disease-free fish for export and offer consultations about pet fish.

Vietnamese pet fish are shipped to 47 countries, with Europe accounting for 60-70 per cent of the market share. The major buyers are Germany, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. — VNS