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."
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
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