This marks the first investment by Thai Union and its two partners Century Pacific and Frabelle Fishing from the
PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says the opening of the Majestic Seafoods plant could create close to 7,000 jobs.
Mr. O’Neill says his government wants to see all fish processed on shore to create jobs and economic benefits for Papua New Guineans.
National Fisheries Authority managing director, Sylvester Pokajam, says PNG’s tuna industry has the potential to become a big player on the global stage.
“We can be number one in the world,” Mr. Pokajam said. “
Better access
Martin Dihm, European Ambassador to PNG, says PNG’s other big advantage in its bid to bring tuna processing onshore is the fact it has better access to Europe than Asian countries, through its Economic Partnership Agreement.
“That allows full free duty free access of all Papua New Guinean goods to the European market,” Mr. Dihm said.
Maintaining standards
Mr. Dihm says the Majestic Seafoods plant will need to maintain environmental and other standards.
“What we have to consider, of course, is we look ... very closely at stock conservation issues and at any labor issues and social issues,” he said.
“We have a regular committee... that is foreseen by the trade agreement where we discuss all these issues together.”
Abundant workforce
Mr. Pokajam says companies won’t have trouble finding workers. “That is why most investment is going into Lae because that is where the workforce is in abundance,” he said.
“The beauty of it is that most of the workforce are females, about 90% are female.” However, Mr. Pokajam thinks the job targets will not be easy to achieve.
“Last year or the year before that I said 5 years but it is going to be more than 5 years,” he said. “I would say 10 years.”
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
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