Tilapia. Global tilapia supply is on the increase in 2012 with demand mainly coming from domestic and regional consumers in Asia, Africa and South America. During 2012, China is likely to export more to Africa and focus less on the US market.
Despite harsh weather conditions, Chinese export volumes of tilapia grew 2.3 percent with an increased value of 10 percent in 2011. Frozen fillet exports decreased 15 percent in volume, but this was somewhat compensated for by higher shipments of the cheaper whole frozen tilapia to African markets such as Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria and Benin. Average export prices strengthened to USD 1.88 per kg in 2011, up 13 percent.
United States imports of tilapia in 2011 declined for the first time in a decade, decreasing 10 percent to 192 900 tonnes, while the import value declined a marginal 0.5 percent, to USD 838 million, as tilapia suffers in the competition with the cheaper pangasius.
EU imports in 2011 saw a 1 percent increase, reaching 20 700 tonnes. China, EU’s main supplier, saw shipments decline slightly, but imports were higher from other Asian sources such as Viet Nam, Taiwan PC and Indonesia, which increased by 160 percent, 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
Large private sector investments into the sector are boosting production in a number of countries in the region, including Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. Production is targeting both domestic consumption as well as export markets.
Nile perch in trouble
Nile perch. Nile perch exports to the EU from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, declined further in 2011 as catches kept falling. Sustainability continues to be an issue and enforcement remains a challenge.
Bass and bream supply tight
Bass and bream. Total supply of bass and bream was down almost 4 percent in 2011 and production is likely to fall again in 2012. Lower volume has caused prices to firm, but may scare off consumers in the long run. Prices remained relatively high during the first four months of 2012, especially for bass, and are expected to firm further over the next few months before the new supply reaches market size during summer. Bass and bream continue to perform well in newer markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, United States and the Russian Federation. Increased domestic consumption in Turkey, the second largest producer, has had a positive impact on the market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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