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.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
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