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) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of July 13th, Mr. Ho Quoc Dung, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Prime Minister, along with his delegation, visited and worked with businesses in An Giang province to promptly resolve obstacles and promote production and business activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As importing markets increasingly focus on biosecurity and traceability, Vietnam has established a relatively comprehensive legal framework and disease management system for aquaculture, covering tilapia farming as well as other cultured species. This system is based on the Law on Animal Health, regulations on the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases, the National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Major Diseases in Farmed Aquatic Species, and environmental monitoring and early warning programs for aquaculture areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On July 9, 2026, the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil organized the seminar titled “Sharing Information on Vietnam-Brazil Economic, Trade and Investment Relations in the First Half of 2026” to provide updates on bilateral cooperation and strengthen connections among government agencies, industry associations, and business communities of the two countries.
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