"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) 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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