"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) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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