The price of fish meal has increased sharply since the beginning of June and could be set to rise further as the world prepares for a possible El Niño.
In the US fish meal is made from two main sources: the whole remains of a fish called the Menhaden, a small oily fish used exclusively for fish meal and oil production, and trimmings from Alaska pollock. Total US fish meal production is approximately 340,000 tons per year, making it the fifth largest producer globally. Approximately 250,000 tons are used domestically and the rest exported, making the US the fourth largest global exporter. The fish meal industry is truly global and it is thought that the average distance fish meal is transported between production and end use is 5,000 miles. Consequently, issues affecting one major producer can also affect prices of other producers.
The largest global producer of fish meal is Peru, with 25 percent of global production and the majority exported, making it the largest global exporter. Most of Peruvian fish meal comes from a species known as the anchoveta. The Peruvian anchoveta fishery is highly susceptible to El Niño conditions, when an upwelling of cold nutrient rich water off the coast of South America known as the Humboldt Current is disrupted. This leads to a reduction in the amount of plankton available as food for the anchoveta, which leads to a smaller number of fish and lower catches.
Since April the coast of Peru has seen warmer sea temperatures, leading many to forecast the onset of El Niño conditions before the end of the year. These warmer temperatures also led to the Peruvian authorities opening the first fishing season of the year early to try and increase catch levels. Even so the catch levels are reported to be low. Lower volumes of anchoveta in Peru will lead to a fall in fish meal production and higher prices. As feed is the largest cost for the production of many farmed fish, high prices of fish meal can lead to higher prices of farmed fish and prawns.
However, in recent weeks the recorded sea temperatures are slightly cooler softening the severity of a potential El Niño and possibly reducing the effect on the global food industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
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