"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) 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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