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.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
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