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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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