"Importers are bleeding at the moment, and everyone is going to see big losses," one European buyer told IntraFish. "If this situation continues it could have serious consequences for some."
Prices on April 5 leaped to THB 205 (€5.4/$7) for 60 pieces per kilogram -- a 43.3 percent hike from Dec. 24 when vannamei prices were THB 143 (€3.8/$4.9), Jim Gulkin, managing director at Siam Canadian, said. For 70 pieces vannamei per kilogram prices climbed from THB 136 (€3.6/$4.7) on Dec. 24 to THB 193 (€5.1/$6.6) last Friday, he told IntraFish.
"This is a huge jump in raw material prices," he said. With European importers readying to purchase their raw material for their summer activities, problems arise. "The product is either not available or horrendously expensive -- we have issues with product availability."
Those businesses which do decide to buy Thai vannamei are facing issues of passing on the high prices to their clients, due to fixed-price contracts with companies or annual prices for retailers.
As a result, some could decide to reduce their imports and to curb promotions for the product, he said. Gulkin is echoing the importer's conclusion, saying "that is simply inevitable. That holds truth for Europe as well as the
"With these price levels the product becomes less interesting and they start to look at other products more worthwhile to promote," he told IntraFish. "Overall consumption will drop because world production will be down this year."
Production levels in
Production levels in 2010 were somewhat around 650,000 metric tons of head-on raw material. "It dropped in 2011 and it dropped again in 2012 to around 450,000 to 500,000 metric tons," said Gulkin.
"This year, I think if we hit 400,000 metric tons...then we’ll be doing very well," he told IntraFish. "If things do not turn around it could be closer to 300,000 metric tons."
Researchers recently have made some steps towards identifying the cause of the disease, believing it is a bacteria rather than a virus, coming "from the broodstock to the hatcheries." "By mid to end-April we might have an idea whether the corner has been turned on this, whether there is some kind of resolution in sight," he said. "We may have good news or not."
There might be a boost in production in the second half of the year if researchers actually come up with a solution, he said. Nevertheless, it is not going to balance out the market straight away. "If we don't find a solution soon, availability of shrimp will further decrease," also said the European importer.
Asian, Ecuadorian prices going up
Also other Asian countries, including
"It [the situation in
Dalsgaard Magni, sales director at Danish Albatross Seafood concurs with Gulkin, saying it is affecting the whole market. The company, which imports Chinese shrimp into the Russian market, is preparing to pay a higher price, with the new Chinese season starting in June.
"Chinese prices are rising," he said. "We were expecting that and bought inventory during the high season." Gulkin said he is "reluctant to get too optimistic about the
"This is such a big thing and even if they have figured out the problem I have my doubts they can turn around quickly and get such a big jump in production," he told IntraFish. "No matter what, this year is a loss, it's a write for
"We’re just hoping that in 2014 things are back on track and production is back to normal”
(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.
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