Nichirei Fresh, CP Foods expand mangrove restoration project into Vietnam

The Vietnamese subsidiary of Bangkok, Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods has partnered with Nichirei on a project aimed at rehabilitating shrimp ponds in Vietnam through the replanting of hundreds of mangrove trees.

On 10 August, 2023, C.P. Vietnam partnered with Japanese seafood conglomerate Nicherei on an expansion of the project into Vietnam. Nicherei Fresh launched the mangrove restoration effort in 2006 in Indonesia and has since expanded its work into Thailand and Vietnam. It estimates it has planted 380,000 trees in areas previously cleared for shrimp farming, and said it hopes to plant an additional 380,000 trees by 2030.

“When the world faces climate change, planting plays a crucial role,” it said in a press release.

The replacement of mangrove habitat has numerous benefits, including limiting saltwater intrusion, blocking tropical storms, contributing to climate regulation, regulating soil salinity, creating shelter and food for aquatic species. improving the aquatic ecosystem, and sequestering carbon to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The first phase of the project of the joint effort includes the planting of 800 mangrove trees in the commodity shrimp farming area of the C.P. Shrimp Farm Bac Lieu in Vinh Moi hamlet, Vinh Thinh commune, Hoa Binh district, Bac Lieu province.

Nichirei Corporation is a major seafood importer based in Tokyo, Japan. The project stems from Nichirei's sustainability policy calling for the creation of a circular economy for its seafood supply chain.

The project also meets C.P Group's goal of practicing core values of its “Three Benefits Towards Sustainability” policy in service of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Photo courtesy of CP Foods Vietnam