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 “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(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.
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