Speaking at the International Coldwater Prawn Forum in
If that difference can be captured and communicated as evidence of why coldwater shrimp is worth more, then the
Lent 2014 was pinpointed as the time that high prices will really start to reach consumers on warmwater shrimp. So far the price spread between coldwater and warmwater shrimp has not seen substitution, but around Lent as that difference is passed on to consumers more, lower-priced seafood could see more demand, said Sackton.
Retail sale continue to be strong for warmwater shrimp in the
The extent to which coldwater prices will be accessible to consumers will depend on how far prices are set by the export market, he added. There has been an increasing trend for Canadian shrimp to be sent to
So far, despite some price increase, there has not been much substitution of warmwater for coldwater shrimp outside of the traditional markets (largely the west coast, where the biggest fishery is).
With warmwater shrimp prices high and supply low, there is room for companies such as
“If the sector can match or beat the pricing of competitors’ shrimp, we can gain market share,” he said.
“We can target that aquaculture sector – if we match it on price, consumers’ choice is easy to make based on taste and quality.”
“Coldwater prawns need product differentiation beyond the west coast. They have great marketing potential in their wild, MSC, and taste, but they’re not currently seen as a center of the plate protein”
He, like other speakers, spoke about the ‘story’ behind the product and marketing it based on natural, wild-caught imagery, particularly with the Marine Stewardship Council certification it has.
The other key for expanding the market in the
Freezing, peeling technology, marketing and packaging, and generally upping the quality of wild-caught coldwater shrimp would give a fighting chance, he said, adding that Pacific Seafood had invested several million dollars in this.
The situation for the
However, while landings in most coldwater shrimp fisheries are currently in decline, the
Of particular interest to the west coast shrimp industry is whether other sources can come in and compete in the
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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