Each year, the forum uses industry surveys and local knowledge to try and estimate global supplies of major species, and to forecast expectations for 2014.
Here is a brief rundown of the major species:
Atlantic Cod: Total global production will be around 1.36 million tons in 2014, which is only marginally changed from the 1.35 million tons expected for 2013. However, Atlantic cod volumes are being revised upward, with the 2013 figures up about 2% from their original projections last year. Cod will again be in very plentiful supply, and there is no expectation for much of a decline. Minor changes in volume in Norway and Russia will be made up by increases in Iceland.
Haddock: The haddock situation is worse than previously forecast. For 2014, the forum expects a decrease of 6.7% from this years landings of 298,000 tons, which in turn were 30% down from 2012 landings. In fact, all estimates of haddock supply have continued to be revised downward. The 2013 estimate is now 4% less than it was last year. Reports from fishing grounds have indicated slower than expected landings, meaning in some cases haddock was hard to find.
Alaska Pollock: Here supplies are higher than forecast last year, and are expected to marginally drop in 2014. Total landings are expected to reach 3.256 million tons. Alaskan production should be stable at 1.35 million, while Russian production will drop slightly to 1.6 million. However, last year expectations for 2013 were for total landings of 3.16 million, whereas this is now revised upward to 3.32 million tons, based on higher landings in Russia this year.
Pacific Cod: Expectations remain unchanged, with production forecast at 462,000 tons in 2014, which is almost exactly what was produced in 2013.
Pangasius: The Forum is revising its estimates on pangasius, and this year is only providing estimates from Vietnam. For 2013, Vietnamese production was estimated at 850,000 tons, and for 2014, it is estimated between 750,000 and 900,000 tons. American catfish production will remain unchanged at around 150,000 tons.
The forum has been unable to estimate tilapia production for several years, although their 2011 estimates are higher than the recently released FAO estimates for that year. Forum members estimated higher production in Egypt, the Philippines, and Thailand than was reported to FAO in 2011. Their estimates for China are fairly close to the FAO numbers - 1.05 million tons vs. 1.08 million tons, again for the year 2011.
Overall this presents a stable supply picture for whitefish, with little significant change in production of the major species, but no increase forecast either.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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