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) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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