BIOECONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE TIGER SHRIMP (Penaeus monodon) INDUSTRY IN TRA VINH PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Abstract

Analysis of costs and returns for the tiger shrimp forming industry in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam was carried out by considering different production scales. The production scale influenced not only the cost but also the profitability. Through the results of multivariate statistical analyses, this study showed that the production cost, benefit and earning capacity varied from extensive to semi-intensive and finally to intensive systems. By means of Cobb-Douglas production function analysis, it is revealed that net revenue from increasing the production scale would increase if the input intensities of the fixed, seed and feed costs rose. More investment should be made in the production scale and advanced techniques for extensive systems and the culturing period of the semi intensive system should be longer to raise profits. In addition, the management of seed quality, feed and application of Better Management Practices (BMP) standards for the shrimp production industry should be reinforced in order to improve competitiveness in international markets.