According to VASEP, the limit is unfair to Vietnam shrimp. MRL for Ethoxyquin in EU and the U.S. is 150 ppm and Japan is also 150 ppm applied with fishmeal. Other shrimp suppliers to Japan such as Thailand or India must not undergo Ethoxyquin testing. The Ethoxyquin testing creates more burdens on both Vietnam exporters and Japanese importers.
During June 18th – 23rd 2012, a delegation led by Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tiep – Director of National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) had a visit to Japan to work with with competent Japanese agencies on Ethoxyquin. The trip focused on seeking a solution for barriers of food safety imposed by Japan on Vietnam shrimp exported to the country.
The Vietnam side requested Japanese agencies to adjust regulations on MRLs for Ethoxyquin residues on seafood products on the basis of evaluation on risks related to food safety and drew out a roadmap for Vietnam shrimp sector to solve problems related to Ethoxyquin.
While awaiting the conclusion from Japan, Vietnam enterprises continued to strengthen control of Ethoxyquin in shrimp consignments exported to Japan to comply with Japan’s restriction. In June 13th 2012, MARD asked Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish) to review and make a list of aquatic feed containing Ethoxyquin (both domestic and imported products) as well as propose and submit MRLs for Ethoxyquin residues in aquatic feed. D-Fish must plan measures of controlling Ethoxyquin’s usage in aquatic feed production and recommend shrimp farms to stop using aquatic feed containing Ethoxyquin.
MARD directed NAFIQAD to popularize and guide seafood processors to control Ethoxyquin to meet importing market’s regulations. In June 15th 2012, D-Fish issued documents to direct Sub-Departments of Aquaculture to notify Japan’s alerts to local aquatic feed producers. D-Fish asked feed producers to commit not to use Ethoxyquin in aquatic feed producing. Sub-Departments of
Aquaculture must inspect local feed producers and report D-Fish feed products containing Ethoxyquin to remove them from list of feed products legally used. Sub-Departments of Aquaculture also guide farmers to stop feeding shrimp one day before harvesting in order to reduce the residue in shrimp.
Japan’s Ethoxyquin test will negatively affect to Vietnam shrimp exports and increase enterprises’ producing costs, even Japanese shrimp importers have to spend a lot of time and money for the Ethoxyquin testing in their country. Vietnam shrimp is losing its competitiveness in Japan market.
In 2012, shrimp exports is expected to reach US$2.5 billion USD. In the first 5 months this year, shrimp exports touched US$798.07 million, up 4.9 percent from that of the same period of 2011. Shrimp exports has reported a slow and sluggish growth.
In the wake of financial crisis in the U.S., EU, Japan has been becoming the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp. Japan’s regulation on Ethoxyquin residue on Vietnam shrimp makes Vietnam shrimp exporters confused because they find it hard to control MRL for Ethoxyquin residue in shrimp. Vietnam exporters are waiting for the result of the business trip of MARD representative and they hope that MRL for Ethoxyquin residue in Vietnam shrimp exported to Japan will be raised from 0.01 ppm (10 ppb) up to 100 ppb.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
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