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) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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