The southeasterly province of Shandong in January shipped 236,000 metric tons (MT) of seafood worth USD 760 million (EUR 555.7 million) — an increase of 6.2 percent and 12.3 percent respectively.
The strongest growth however was recorded for shipments to the EU and U.S., with 18,000 MT worth USD 81.4 million (EUR 59.5 million) shipped to the latter according to data provided by the provincial Ocean & Fisheries Bureau. That’s a year-on-year growth of 52.7 percent and 32 percent, respectively. The EU meanwhile bought 35,000 MT worth USD 120 million (EUR 87.8 million), up 49.7 percent and 39.2 percent, respectively.
Other key markets performed well, but not as strongly as the two key western blocs. Japan bought 39,000 MT of Shandong seafood in January, paying USD 210 million (EUR 153.6 million), up 10.7 percent and 4.6 percent respectively year-on-year. Korea accounted for 13,000 MT (USD 46.6 million, EUR 34 million), a rise of 17.3 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, year-on-year.
China’s state-run media has made much this month of a recovery in western markets as a driver of demand for China’s overall exports. But a worrying note of caution for the seafood sector was sounded by a leading trade official who warned the sector needs to improve quality in order to combat rising competition from Southeast Asia producers in particular.
China has to improve “oversight mechanisms and testing” of seafood production and clamp down on residues in seafood products, according to Xiao Wei, head of research at the China International Trade Research Centre in Beijing. He warns that western markets will increasingly use quality concerns “as a reason to block” Chinese imports. But he also warns that the increasing similarity in composition of exports from China and Southeast Asia peers like Thailand and Vietnam means China has to raise standards to compete.
Data published by food safety and inspection authorities in some of China’s leading seafood producing regions suggests all is well. The provincial authorities in both Shandong and Zhejiang provinces have claimed a 100 percent and a 99.4 percent pass rate respectively in the latest publication of seafood product testing results.
Praising the safety of his province’s seafood products, Shuyang Yue, deputy director of Zhejiang’s Ocean & Fisheries Bureau said while the province had problems with “serious” water pollution it had also changed and prolonged the “production cycles of aquaculture” in order to reduce the average monthly amount of excrement produced by the aquaculture sector.
Illustrative perhaps of the gap between official pronouncements and reality — and the challenges facing food safety enforcers in China — is a recent court case in the huge southwesterly city of Chengdu where a seafood wholesaler was jailed for eight months for using banned chemicals to fresh his produce. Dai Ting Fu used hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxide since 2006 to freshen the smell and appearance of squid and other products sold to local restaurants in the district of Qionglai. Dai told the court he was introduced to the chemicals by a seafood supplier, according to a report of the case published in the Chengdu Business Daily.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn