At the recent meeting between NOAA head Jane Lubchenco and Maria Daminaki, the European commissioner for fisheries, the US raised the issue of pollock tariffs, that would fall on both Alaska pollock blocks and surimi.
Current regulations call for a tariff of 13.7% on pollock blocks, and 14.2% on surimi. For many years those tariffs have been suspended if the block or surimi products are used for subsequent manufacturing of additional value added product.
It is unclear where the push is coming from to do away with the exemption, putting the tariffs into force. It could be a bureaucratic issue within the EU Commission, or as some have suggested harvester groups could be behind the change. But no European harvesters land fish that compete directly with Alaska pollock.
Such an outcome would have a severe impact on major seafood manufacturers in Europe, at a time when they are already struggling with higher import prices and declining demand. French demand for pollock products is expected to be flat. In the UK, Tesco reported today a 1.4% drop in sales, and a 4% drop on the continent, and is struggling to lower pricing.
Since the beginning of the year, the euro has declined around 4% against the dollar, and further declines are likely.
In this environment, manufacturers are in no condition to absorb a 13% to 14% tariff.
According to a US pollock industry source, "we are aware that as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy review that drafts are being floated that could propose higher effective tariff rates. No specific policy proposal has been released by the EU though, so we dont know how serious this issue might be."
"Our primary interest is in Alaska pollock, Pacific whiting or surimi-based products. We are not aware of anyone who might benefit increasing effective tariff rates on those products. First and foremost, the products we export to Europe dont compete with any products made from fish harvested by EU fleets. Second, higher tariff rates would hurt European value-added processors and their workers as pollock products undergo a substantial amount of further processing within Europe. Finally, increased tariff rates would raise costs for European consumers."
The US industry and government is gearing up to fight this economically dangerous move. However, under current WTO agreements, the EU has the right to adjust pollock tariffs, so there is not a legal issue. Instead, the argument will be an economic one: why hurt seafood manufacturing at a time when they need to create as many jobs as possible.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
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