But while consumption went down, the value of the total seafood market sales increased by 1.3 percent from €3.2 billion ($4.2 billion) in 2011 to €3.3 billion ($4.3 billion) last year, Matthias Keller, managing director at the association and vice president of the European
Federation of National Organisations of Importers and Exporters of Fish (CEP), told IntraFish. "We are happy with the average household spending on seafood," he said. "Consumers still appreciate their fish." Nevertheless, annual per capita consumption dropped to 14.9 kilograms from previously 15.2 kilograms, he said.
Volumes of fresh fish consumed dived 8.6 percent year-on-year from 56,756 metric tons in 2011 to 51,888 metric tons last year. The main reason was a 4.7 percent average price increase from €12.61 ($16.50) per kg in 2011 to €13.21 ($17.30) per kg last year.
Frozen fish products remained at about the same levels, Keller said, but marinades and other pickled fish also saw a decline from 70,851 metric tons to 66,400 metric tons last year.
This was mainly due to rocketing prices of herring,he said. The average price for a kilogram of marinated product shot up by 12 percent to €5.29 ($6.90), compared to €4.71 ($6.20) in 2011.
The only exemption in the category was the smoked fish segment, which saw an increase in both volume and value.
Consumers not only bought 5.5 percent more smoked fish -- mainly salmon and trout -- but also spent more, Keller (pictured left) said. Total value of the smoked fish segment went up from €583 million ($764.1 million) in 2011 to €604 million ($791.6 million) last year.
Keller, who will celebrate his 25th anniversary at the helm of the German Fish Processors Association on 1st of July 2013, isnevertheless optimistic, saying consumers are still "interested"in the category.
Stronger 2013
This is reflected in the figures available for thisyear. While Keller wasn't able to share any specific details, he said
Both the volume and value went up in the first five months of the year by 3 percent in volume and 7 percent in value, respectively.
The volumes of fresh fish sold went up 2.6 percent,despite an increase in value of 8 percent.
Frozen fish saw 1.7 percent higher sales, with a growth in value of 2.7 percent, and sales of marinated products went up 1.6 percent, with a whopping increase in value of 4 percent.
Also the smoked segment saw an "excellent development" in thefirst five months of the year, Keller told IntraFish
The sold volume went up 13 percent, and value increased 15 percent. "The smoked segment is showing the biggest increase," he said, adding demand is expected to stay strong.
Need for raw material price stability
How demand will evolve for the rest of the year is dependent on development in consumer prices, Kellersaid.
He predicted a relatively stable whitefish market, but the question how demand for salmon is going to pan out throughout the year is still open.
"Demand for fish is growing, which is why we would need more stability in price development," he told IntraFish
Fish farmers in particular should be able to createa predictable and stable pricing environment, he said.
"If we can increase consumer prices with caution and with careful price management, consumers will accept higher prices for fish in the future."
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
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