Yet a 260,000 metric ton limit per year on Alaska pollock imports remains, drawing continued concerns from Alaska pollock importers in the European Union, who will have to pay a 20 percent duty on any pollock imported above that limit.
“We don’t like these limits because these limits are uncertain," Guus Pastoor, president of the European association of fish processors and traders AIPCE-CEP, told IntraFish. "We don’t know if the limits will be reached, and then you don’t know if you are in or out. That’s why we say 'Why don’t we just keep the system as it is.'"
It is likely some pollock importers will be stuck paying a 7.5 to 20 percent duty. Over the last five years, the average volume of pollock imported into the European Union was 5,000 metric tons over the limit, at 265,000 metric tons. In 2008, the import volume reached 290,000 metric tons, a source in the industry told IntraFish.
Yet the new plan is of little concern to US Alaska pollock producers, the source said.
"Most people feel that the quota was set at such a high level that it's not really a concern," the source said, referring to the US pollock export industry.
Sentiments are different on the other side of the European Union border. As importers try to avoid getting stuck paying the duty, the new import quota could create a race for orders.
"In general, that's what this system leads to," Pastoor said. "That may be a nice thing for exporters, but on the other hand, it doesn't match the normal way the business goes...You would be forced to start buying in a speculative way just to try to make sure that you get a zero tariff."
AIPCE-CEP is working to convince member states to rethink the quota and hopes to meet with the commission to discuss it, he said. However, the commission may be past the stakeholder engagement period.
"The commission has consulted the stakeholders from November 2011 to May 2012," a spokesperson for the commission told IntraFish in an email. "Now, the proposal is in the council for the last round of discussions with the member states, and it is now the responsibility for the member states and the Commission to agree on a final proposal."
These plans are part of the EU's process of establishing autonomous tariff quotas (ATQ) for certain fish and fish products every three years. The quotas aim to help increase the supply of raw materials for the EU processing industry. Part of the goal of the current proposal is to keep supply at a consistent level.
European member states are expected to make a decision by the end of the year. If adopted, it would be in effect from January 2013 to December 2015.
(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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