The production of PBO fillets though Feb. 8 is 8,600 metric tons, down 21.81% year-on-year. The loss of the price premium from being the only Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fishery after the Russian Sea of Okhotsk fishery was certified last year is impacting US production.
Prices for PBO fillets, the main market for which is the European fish finger processors in Germany, France and the UK, are down at around $2,950 per metric ton, depending on delivery terms and quantity. B season prices in 2013 were around $3,050/mt, with the A season last year at around $3,200/mt.
The last time the prices were at this level was the B season of 2007, before they went on a rapid climb, hitting $4,500/mt in the A season of 2009.
US catchers are producing more deepskin blocks, with production at 8,900t already, up 64.81% y-o-y. Surimi production so far is 16,900t, up 3% y-o-y. Surimi prices to Japan are trending up.
The price of Alaskan pollock surimi bound for the Japanese market for the current 2014 A season has roughly settled at JPY 30-40 higher than that for the 2013 B season, buoyed by the uncertain outlook for surimi supplies from other producers, mainly Southeast Asia and China, according to a report fromMinato Tsukiji.
For roe, mainly sold to Japan and formerly the cash cow of the industry, the outlook is also looking more positive, with recovery rates up on the A season of 2013.
Production of headed and gutted (H&G) pollock is 3,900t so far, down 23.52% y-o-y.
H&G prices are also under pressure, because of the Russian Sea of Okhotsk fishery now having the MSC approval, also. The Sea of Okhotsk fishery takes place largely in A season, meaning Chinese processors can produce double frozen blocks for customers wanting MSC products from Russian fish, as well as American.
The Russian H&G price is currently around $1,400/mt, with American fish still selling at a premium, but largely because there is more bigger fish available, rather than the large premium US H&G used to command from being the only MSC pollock available.
According to producers in the US, the strategy is to cut PBO production and dry up the market in Europe, resulting in higher prices in B season. “Demand is still strong — in Europe and the US — and we don’t think there is much stock around,” one said.
At the same time, the low prices are causing more US buyers to switch to once frozen — PBO, deepskin or individual quick frozen (IQF) fillets – over twice frozen pollock, processed in China from US or Russian H&G.
(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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