"The record trade figures reflect the strong growth in aquaculture output and the high prices for a number of species such as salmon and shrimp," said Audun Lem, chief of FAO's Products, Trade and Marketing Branch. "This is underpinned by firm underlying demand for fish products from world markets."
"The percentage of fish production that is traded internationally is significant, around 37 per cent in 2013," added Lem. "This makes the fisheries sector one of the most globalized and dynamic industries in world food production."
According to FAO, developing countries continue to play an important role in supplying global markets, accounting for 61 per cent of total fish exports and 54 per cent of the value in 2012. Their net export earnings (exports minus imports) totalled USD 35.3 billion, figure that is higher than that of other agricultural products combined including rice, meat, milk, sugar and bananas.
But the UN agency stresses that the benefits of international trade does not always reach the hands of small-scale fishing communities, however artisanal fishermen and farmers constitute about 90 per cent of the workforce in the sector.
Therefore, FAO urges countries to help small-scale fishers and workers in the fisheries sector, about half of whom are women, to overcome a series of obstacles to access to markets, including the lack of bargaining power and access to credit and inadequate market infrastructure.
“There are exciting opportunities in regional markets at the moment as emerging economies, such as Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia want more fish and are looking to their neighbours to supply it," pointed out Lem. "At the same time, this growing demand is stimulating new investments in local aquaculture production, including in Africa."
FAO says countries need to provide small farmers with access to finance, insurance and information about markets, investing in infrastructure, strengthening producer organizations and small-scale traders, and ensuring that national policies do not overlook or weaken this sector.
He further noted that the growing number of fish that is processed for export brings about an increase in the quantity of byproducts -like heads, viscera and bones, which can also become valuable products for human consumption.
“New markets for by-products are already opening up, he said, noting growing demand for fish heads in some Asian and African markets, while there is also potential to use fish heads and bones to meet the rising global demand for fish oil and mineral supplements," Lem explained.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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