Last week, Target became the latest U.S. retailer to make a commitment. As one of the country’s largest discount chains, it promised to source 100% of its seafood offerings from a sustainable fishery by the end of 2015, including canned , frozen and fresh tuna.
To date, 63% of Target’s wild seafood meets the MSC standard, and another 24% is being assessed for certification. The standard is widely regarded as a rigorous and robust program – MSC-labeled products can be traced back to a sustainable fishery that has been certified by an independent, third-party.
Target, however, is not a trailblazer in sustainability as the company is following in the footsteps of other U.S. retailers. Back in 2006, Walmart pledged all of its fish products would be certified sustainable against the MSC standard. The giant discounter has since updated its policy to include all seafood species and as of January 2012, 76% of its wild seafood suppliers met the MSC requirements.
Major grocery retailers have also made similar promises. Kroger and Supervalu, for example, both announced they would source 100% of its top 20 wild-caught seafood products from sources that are certified by MSC, in full assessment, or involved in a Fishery Improvement Project with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) by 2015.
The country’s third largest food retailer, and the world’s largest membership wholesale club, has also taken steps to appease consumers. Costco has committed to stop selling wild-caught seafood that is at risk unless it comes from an MSC-certified sustainable fishery.
The concept of sustainability has become embedded and it’s here to stay, says Kerry Coughlin, regional MSC director of North America. Once businesses recognized the limited supply of raw material, they realized it had to be protected, she says.
“They have an obligation to do that both from a perpetuating the business standpoint and they have an obligation to that as global citizens of trade in that natural resource.”
Consumers, as well, are taking notice and growing conscious of their purchases. With awareness increasing, consumers are driving the movement towards a sustainable future.
“They (retailers) know that it’s becoming important to their consumers, and they want to present to their consumers that they’re ahead of that curve,” says Coughlin. Globally, there are 15,487 products that bear the blue-and-white MSC eco-label.
Germany is the leading country with 4,241 MSC-certified products, while the U.S. has 958 sustainable seafood products available.
Earlier this year, the free school skipjack fisheries of the PNA countries received MSC certification. With almost 50% of all skipjack in the world being caught in their waters, MSC supply from this fishery has the best chance of filling the demand in the US and the EU for certified canned tuna. Also the MSC certified US pole and line albacore fisheries are expected to benefit from this trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(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.
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