Alaska Pollock accounts for 25 percent in Germany’s fish market. Sales of this whitefish species are increasing as price comes down. Vietnam pangasius is the fifth most consumed fish in Germany. However, the fish is sold at higher price, so German consumers are turning to buy Alaska pollock.
In 2011, German people’s spending for fish was up 0.4 percent; fish prices were also up 3 percent, causing a decrease of 2.5 percent in fish sales. Per capita fish volume is standing at 15 kilogram per person, in which Alaska pollock was the most consumed fish, followed by herrings, salmon (mostly farmed ones), tuna and pangasius. Consumption of most of popular fish like herring, salmon, tuna were sliding due to higher prices. In contrast, pollock got lower price and reached high sales.
Over the past five years, Vietnam pangasius shipment to Germany has remained annual value of over US$65 million. The fish occupied the fifth place in German fish market thank to good flavour, easy recipes and lower prices than other popular fish there.
Different from other importing countries in the South of Europe, German people do not like eating live or fresh fish; therefore, Germany imports only frozen pangasius fillets to supply domestic market rather than to process for re-export.
Pangasius sold in Germany generally weight 120/170 gram, 170/220 gram and 220 gram. Due to the pressure of fish price, local retailers tend to focus on the added value of fish products.
Currently, 84 percent of German households eat fish products. This reflects the trend to consume healthy food and avoid obesity in the country. They also love some imported fish such as pangasius from Vietnam, tilapia from American Latin countries, herring caught at Emden in North Germany and flounder from the Netherlands.
German consumers want both domestic and imported fish with acceptable prices and good quality. They generally buy fish in supermarket chain and local fish markets. Frozen pangasius fillets and herring fillets are well sold in the market because these are easy to cook. Frozen fish are the most traded with 34 percent of market shares; canned and marinated fish represents 26 percent; and 8 percent are fresh fish.
Vietnam saw drop in pangasius export due to its increasing price; while Alaska pollock suppliers pushed down its price, leading to high consumption of Pollock in Germany. However, as the country is still struggling with economic troubles, local consumers should choose products which have the same quality but lower price like pangasius. Though sales of pangasius fell, the fish still keep its position in German market, particularly in the tough economic time in Europe.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
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