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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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