Vietnam’s Billion-Dollar Innovation Stuns Cuba After 120+ Days of Testing

A high-tech intensive shrimp farming model from Vietnam has demonstrated remarkable success in Camagüey province, emerging as a new beacon for Cuba’s aquaculture sector amidst resource constraints and economic fluctuations. This initial triumph not only boosts productivity but also lays the groundwork for Cuba’s future advancements in high-tech agriculture.

According to Cuban officials, the first production cycle in 2024 yielded 20 tons of shrimp from five pilot ponds in Santa Cruz del Sur after 121 days, achieving a productivity rate of 4 tons/ha—a significant improvement compared to Cuba’s current averages. Throughout the process, a team of four experienced Vietnamese engineers provided direct technical support.

Building on this success, both parties are scaling up the model to a 10-hectare site in Camagüey, aiming for a 45-ton yield in the latter half of 2025. Notably, Cuba has fully adopted Vietnam’s advanced shrimp farming technologies, including aeration systems, water filtration, comprehensive care protocols, and high-quality feed.

Miguel Antonio Manso Díaz, Head of Production at Cultisur, stated that the second cycle began in late April with a stocking density of 100 shrimp/m², targeting 900–1,000 kg/ha. “We’ve prepared 10 out of 30 ponds, with rigorous technical support to optimize farming conditions,” he noted.

Beyond Camagüey, the collaborative model is expanding to key provinces like Villa Clara and Pinar del Río. This expansion is poised to deliver tangible benefits to Cuba as it strives to overcome supply limitations and the impacts of prolonged embargoes.

Experts highlight that the project not only enhances productivity but also facilitates comprehensive technology transfer, enabling Cuba to embrace sustainable, modern farming practices and strengthen production management capabilities. While initial challenges included language barriers and geographical distances, the primary hurdle now lies in scaling the model amid infrastructure and investment constraints.

Throughout implementation, experts from both nations have collaborated seamlessly as a unified team. They reside on-site at the farm, directly training Cuban technicians, often working through nights to fine-tune systems and experiment with new feed formulas.

The project not only bolsters Cuba’s food security but also unlocks investment potential in high-tech agriculture, promising to generate local employment opportunities.

In Vietnam, shrimp farming remains a cornerstone of the aquaculture industry. In 2024, the total area for brackish water shrimp farming exceeded 749,000 hectares, with production reaching 1.29 million tons—a 15% increase year-on-year. Export activities have also shown positive momentum.

In October 2025, shrimp export revenue hit $498 million—the highest since the year’s start, up 26% year-on-year. Over the first ten months of 2025, the sector achieved $3.9 billion, a 22% increase compared to 2024. This is an encouraging outcome, especially amid market uncertainties related to trade policies, tariffs, and logistics cost fluctuations. The Asian market remains the primary growth driver, with China and Hong Kong contributing $1.1 billion in the first ten months, a 64% surge.

Vietnamese enterprises benefit from strong demand for live, fresh, and frozen shrimp, sustaining stable production. This foundation positions the industry for a robust year-end peak season, with expectations of continued growth.

For 2025, Vietnam aims for 750,000 hectares of shrimp farming area, a total output of 1.3–1.4 million tons (including over 1 million tons of whiteleg shrimp), and export revenue of $4–4.3 billion.