De Heus and Minh Phu team up to strengthen Vietnam’s shrimp value chain

VIETNAM – De Heus and Minh Phu have entered a strategic partnership aimed at developing a sustainable, high-value shrimp aquaculture value chain in Vietnam, a move expected to boost production efficiency, improve environmental performance and reinforce the country’s standing in global seafood markets.

The cooperation agreement brings together De Heus’ aquaculture nutrition and technical expertise with Minh Phu’s scale and experience in shrimp farming, processing and export. 

Under the deal, De Heus will supply Minh Phu with advanced nutritional solutions, high-quality shrimp feed and technical support services, while Minh Phu will deploy De Heus feed products across its farming operations. 

The partners will also collaborate on pilot programs, technology transfer, farming area development and initiatives to enhance the international value of Vietnamese shrimp products.

“The close integration of all stages of production, from broodstock and farming to processing and export, together with supporting inputs such as feed, additives, supplies, and technology, will help create a sustainable value chain,” the companies said in a joint press release announcing the partnership.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Johan van den Ban, General Director of De Heus Vietnam and Asia, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration. 

“We are delighted to cooperate with Minh Phu, a leading enterprise in Vietnam’s aquaculture and seafood processing sector,” he said. 

“Combining De Heus’ strengths in nutrition and technical solutions with Minh Phu’s experience, scale, and processing and export capabilities will create a sustainable shrimp value chain—from feed and farming techniques to processing and access to international markets.”

The partnership is designed to address growing international demand for responsibly produced seafood, particularly in high-end markets that require strict traceability, quality and sustainability standards.

Scaling up advanced farming models

Beyond feed and farming integration, De Heus and Minh Phu are jointly working with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau, SAEN Company and other partners to implement and expand a super-intensive, recirculating aquaculture system for whiteleg shrimp using RAS-IMTA technology in Ca Mau province. 

The project will span a total of 1,500 hectares and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit environmental pollution and establish raw material production zones compliant with ASC and BAP standards for export to premium markets such as the European Union, the United States and Japan.

According to the companies, the model is expected to support more stable production while improving biosecurity and resource efficiency in one of Vietnam’s most important shrimp-producing regions.

Beyond shrimp

The cooperation also extends into research and development of salt-tolerant tilapia farming systems, covering nutrition, farming techniques and disease management. 

The goal is to develop a Vietnamese tilapia brand adapted to climate change and suitable for both domestic and export markets.

“Saltwater tilapia farming offers new opportunities to increase farmers’ incomes while supporting sustainable, environmentally responsible aquaculture,” the companies said. Tilapia’s water-filtering ability can help improve pond conditions and support shrimp production, while its meat quality offers potential for product diversification.

Following successful trials, tilapia rotation farming could be integrated into Minh Phu’s shrimp farming model. 

The partners also plan to collaborate on supply chain development, supermarket distribution networks and technical training programs to strengthen operational capacity and long-term competitiveness across Vietnam’s aquaculture sector.

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