The price increase for Urner Barry quotations of 3-5 oz frozen tilapia fillets was the first jump since the beginning of July. Last week’s closing average price for the item was $2.35 lb about 24 percent higher compared to year ago levels and just shy of the five-year-high price reached in late 2010.
Importers said the summer price hike is a result of higher overseas replacement costs—or the import price per pound. According to Urner Barry’s latest Aquaculture Insider’s Report, overseas replacement costs in June were $2.05 per pound up 10 percent compared to the start of the year and the highest such value since May 2011.
The hike in replacement costs coincides with a 20 percent decline in US tilapia imports that have fallen to 140.9 million lbs; a near 40 million lb difference compared to year ago levels. The steep drop in frozen fillet imports is heavily attributed to a drop in Chinese imports—the top supplier to the US.
For example, YTD US imports of frozen Chinese tilapia fillets are down just over 20 percent to 124.5 million lbs.
According to one major importer, China’s production woes are a result of massive 2012 buying when US importers jumped on a glut of cheap tilapia last summer that drove US imports up 65 percent compared with 2011.
This jump on summer orders saw replacement costs—or the import value per pound—plummet from $1.94/lb in May 2012 to $1.75 in October of that year.
However, this ‘emptying of the ponds’ last year caused demand to exceed supply in 2013 which forced overseas replacement costs soaring 17 percent from $1.75 to the aforementioned $2.05/lb.
At the same time, higher replacement costs were met with increased production costs namely with feed prices. For example, CME Futures Prices for soybean meal are currently 10 percent above levels recorded in January 2011 and importers said these increased costs have pushed Chinese tilapia farmers out of the business, unable to produce under tighter margins.
And even though frozen tilapia fillet imports to the US typically follow a seasonal trend, peaking in January, bottoming out in March and steadily increasing through the remainder of the year. Importers said China’s overall supply base is significantly shorter in 2013 than in years past which is likely to result in less tilapia fillet imports to the US for the remainder of the year.
As the industry rounds out the third quarter, US importers are currently taking buying positions from overseas packers. And as importers head into the latter part of the year, further price hikes may be on the horizon amid China’s decreased production in tandem with a seasonal buying period ahead of the Chinese New Year.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn