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) 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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