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) 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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn