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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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