"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”
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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