The Eurothon committee, led by president Juan Vieites who is also the secretary general of Spain's National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Seafood (ANFACO-CECOPESCA), held their 35th General Assembly meeting. The group strives to protect stakeholders in Europe's tuna industry as well as in African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) countries.
At the meeting, Eurothon discussed key issues that it hopes the European Commission (EC) will consider when implementing new policies for 2012.
One concern is the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and the Pacific-ACP states (PACPs). In 2008, Papua New Guinea (PNG) requested to “global source” its processed fish products - an exemption from the standard Rules of Origin (RoO) that allows the country to source raw material from any vessel regardless of flag or where it was caught, as long as the final product is manufactured by a PACP-based processing facility. Eurothon is concerned this privilege would set a precedent for other trade agreements and says the EC-funded report on global sourcing needs to be further analyzed.
The group also addressed its position on various trade negotiations, including the upcoming talks with Vietnam. The country, it says, poses a “significant risk” due to its close proximity to Thailand and the availability of “cheap” labor.
Another issue that warrants attention is Ecuador's proposal to renew the duty-free access for its exported items to Europe. The GSP+ trade agreement, set to expire at the end of 2013, could motivate the Philippines to also seek a similar tariff break, which would be “extremely alarming,” according to Eurothon. Eurothon is also keeping a close eye on China's participation in world fisheries. It aims to provide insight to the European Parliament, highlighting the “danger” of Chinese investments in PNG and observing the increased activity of the Chinese tuna fleet in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The group also opposes the proposed new requirements for product labeling. Revisions to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, the framework which manages the fisheries in Europe, will be discussed in the European Parliament this year, and one of the recommendations is to establish standardized eco-labeling for fishery products.
Eurothon hopes today's meeting will “lay the groundwork to ensure the viability and competitiveness of the EU tuna industry.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(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.
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