Elena Mosca, a spokesperson for the Friends of the Sea, a non-profit independent certification agency, told FoodNavigator-Asia that US and European retailers now consider third party sustainability certification a must for their suppliers.
“Retailers and companies and consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and willing to give preference to a product if certified sustainable,” Mosca said.
“In some countries, products are resold with an approx 5% margin, however in most cases, certification is necessary for sale and to reassure NGOs,” she added.
Friends of the Sea (FOS) has a certification process that fisheries, aquaculture producers, seafood processors, distributors and retailers can apply for. Fishmeal, fish oils and omega3 producers can also gain certification.
The agency said 45 seafood-exporting companies from Vietnam, China, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand have successfully applied for FOS certification.
Asia now more green-aware
“Asia is a major exporter to Europe and US, which are strongly environmentally aware. But consumers in major Asian hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, India, are also starting to demand greener products,” she said.
Mosca pointed out that some major retailers in Asia such as Cold Storage (Singapore) and GREAT Food Hall (Hong Kong) are already highlighting FOS certified products on their shelves.
“Major companies in China (including Tuna, Shrimps, Clams, Squid and Cuttlefish, Omega-3, Krill Oil, Anchovies fisheries) have products FOS certified or are undergoing audit,” she said.
“All the major 12 Thai Tuna companies have been successfully audited for traceability and are planning to resell FOS certified products. We expect interest to grow in the next few years, as China, Vietnam, India and other major players have engaged at improving their environmental performance,” she added.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to a report by the General Statistics Office, the estimated pangasius output for January 2025 reached 102.5 thousand tons, representing a 6.0% increase compared to the corresponding period of the preceding year. This surge is attributed to the rise in pangasius material prices within the Mekong Delta, which has incentivized aquaculture farmers to expand their stocking activities. Concurrently, this price increase has facilitated processing enterprises to intensify procurement efforts to meet export demands during the early part of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Between 2015 and 2024, Vietnamese pangasius exporting enterprises have undergone notable transformations in rankings and experienced fluctuations in developmental strategies, competitive intensity, and business efficacy. This dynamic is clearly illustrated through shifts in export turnover and the proportional contribution to the national pangasius export volume among the Top 5 enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The outlook for Vietnam’s seafood exports remains positive, with a strong focus on maintaining growth in key markets like China and the U.S., while diversifying into new regions. As global trade policies continue to evolve, adaptability and strategic planning will be key to navigating the challenges ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanks to improved pangasius prices and higher production, Vĩnh Hoàn's after-tax profit in Q4 2024 reached VND 440 billion, a 4.8-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam’s Customs, in Q4 2024, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China & Hong Kong reached USD 163 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with consistent growth across all months. The total value of pangasius exports to China & Hong Kong for 2024 reached USD 581 million, a 1% increase over the previous year.
Vietnam’s seafood exports are projected to maintain strong growth this year, potentially reaching 11 billion USD.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final quarter of 2024, Vietnam’s surimi and fish cake exports showed consistent growth over the last three months. For the entire year 2024, exports of these products reached USD 298 million, down 2% compared to 2023. However, the final quarter saw more promising signs for the surimi and fish cake export sector, with some markets experiencing notable growth, such as Thailand, China, and Taiwan. Particularly, exports to Taiwan, which had seen continuous declines in the previous two quarters, surged by 301% in this quarter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Another year of pride for Vietnam's pangasius exports has concluded, reaching over USD 2 billion and contributing 20% to Vietnam's total seafood export turnover.
Vietnam maintained its position as the fifth-largest seafood exporter to Singapore for 12 consecutive months, surpassing Japan for the first time in 2024, amid the intensifying competition in this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite facing numerous challenges in the second half of the year, Vietnam's canned tuna exports concluded 2024 with a 17% increase compared to 2023, reaching USD 299 million. To maintain this growth momentum in 2025, the canned tuna production and export sector requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.
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