Farmed salmon. The supply of farmed salmon is projected to grow around 12 percent in 2012, with exporters looking to new markets such as Brazil, Russia, China and India. Shipments to these markets increased by 20 percent in 2011, reaching more than 210 000 tonnes.
Long-term growth in the EU and US markets is also positive, as are recent developments in the Japanese market. Consumption of 2011 farmed salmon increased 7 percent in the EU, 10 percent in the US and 30 percent in Japan. The long-term prospects for fish consumption in Japan remain negative because of an ageing and stagnating population.
In Norway, production has risen 33 percent since 2008, with new growth projected for 2012. Chile saw the strong production growth of 2011 continue during early 2012. Its 2011 salmon exports totalled almost 260 000 tonnes, up more than 50 percent. In value terms, the increase was even higher – 63 percent, totalling USD 1.9 billion. South American countries now account for 32 percent of Chile’s exports, reaching 47 000 tonnes in 2011, with Brazil as the main market in the region.
Wild salmon. Wild Pacific salmon remains important in overall supply, representing about 30 percent of the total market. In recent years, wild salmon harvests have been around 1 million tonnes annually, but there can be large annual swings. A large portion of wild salmon is shipped to China for processing and re-export.
SMALL PELAGICS – MACKEREL, HERRING, SARDINES
Mackerel. New fish migration patterns are causing headaches for mackerel fishing nations in Northern Europe. Despite negotiations among the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands during early 2012, there is still no agreement on a total mackerel quota. As a result, the unilateral quotas are too high, with parties in the conflict accusing each other of acting irresponsibly.
Meanwhile, Norwegian mackerel exports declined 11 percent in volume last year, but prices were up significantly. Japan was the main market, importing 75 200 tonnes in 2011, a 5 percent increase, followed by China with 57 700 tonnes, up 13 percent, and Turkey, which had a 26 percent decrease. Thanks to improved catches, Norway’s mackerel export volumes recovered during the first quarter of 2012 by 21 percent, to 58 000 tonnes. China is now importing more mackerel from Norway, but most of this is re-exported to Japan.
With higher mackerel catches anticipated in the short run, the high prices experienced lately may come down during the next quarter.
Herring. Herring has had a bonanza, due to lower catches that pushed prices sky high during 2011 and early 2012, with prices now 60 percent higher than a year ago. Norwegian catches and export volumes continued to decline during early 2012.
Canned sardines. The canned sardine market in Europe continues to decline. Shipments of sardines to the three most important European markets – France, UK and Germany – fell a further 18 percent last year, with the largest reduction registered in France where imports fell from 16 700 tonnes in 2010 to 12 300 tonnes in 2011.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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