Barents Sea cod stocks have improved significantly over the past few years and are the largest in decades. The 2012 quota is up 8 percent over 2011, to 750,000 metric tons.
At the same time, the haddock quota has increased by 5 percent, to 318,000 metric tons.
Because of this great supply story and weak markets, especially the troubled European Union, industry sources are skeptical about future price development.
“It is difficult to say what will happen for the next months,” said the managing director of a Norway-based trader, talking about future price development up or down.
“It depends all on how the market for the ready products in Europe and the United States acts, and especially as the market in Europe is slow now,” he told IntraFish.
“I am very uncertain, I must admit,” said an executive with a large cod trader.
“There is very little H&G in the market, so normally prices would have started to increase now,” he told IntraFish. “They are not, so this could be a sign that the market are not working properly.”
Prices will stay at around $3,350 (€2,706) to $3,400 (€2,746) CIP China, “even with the shortage of supply for the next couple of months,” he said. “The euro has weakened 7 percent against the US dollar, so I think this could also have some impact.”
The executive pointed to the situation in Spain and Portugal, both large cod buyers. Not only does the dollar and euro exchange rate make business tough, the banking system is freezing up in these troubled Eurozone members, limiting options for companies.
“Portugal and Spain might have an even bigger problem as their banking systems are not working, and there is a lack of funds,” he said. “There certainly seems to be very few good news stories coming from that direction.”
The sales director of a large Norwegian company also warned on the markets in southern Europe.
However, it seems Portugal, the largest market for Norwegian cod, seems to keep buying, he said.
“I am amazed the prices are at this level,” said this sales director. “I don’t see that they can move up a lot, the processors simply can’t get the higher prices from retailers.”
The predicted increased supply of farmed salmon onto the market later in the year could also have an impact on general cod prices, he told IntraFish.
“If salmon is very cheap -- which it looks likely to be in September – that could impact demand for cod. Retailers will promote on salmon.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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