“Even though it looks like sanctions will be eased, it is just an announcement made at high levels of the government – and the practical measures needed to make it reality have not been taken,” said U Han Tun, general co-secretary of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation, during a weekly meeting on October 9.
“We can start getting ready for when we can export to those markets, even though that is not yet possible,” said U Han Tun, general co-secretary of Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF).
He added that the fisheries industry is not ready to supply EU and US markets immediately because the commonly farmed species in Myanmar are not attractive to consumers in those markets, he said.
“Myanmar mostly farms rohu [carp], a freshwater species that is popular with Bengladeshis.
“However, Myanmar also exported 8000 tonnes a year of freshwater prawn to the US before the sanctions were imposed in 2003,” he said.
He added that Western consumers mostly prefer saltwater prawn, as well as tilapia and sea bass.
U Han Tun said the US imports at least 500,000 tonnes of saltwater prawn a year, while China exports 300,000 tonnes of tilapia to the US a year.
He added that Myanmar could also start exporting sea bass to the EU if it is allowed to access the globalised system of preferences (GSP) for least developed countries, adding to the 240,000 tonnes supplied by Vietnam annually.
“Vietnam is the main sea bass supplier to the international market. But Myanmar still has chance for export this fish to the EU,” he said.
However, there are other non-tax barriers that might prevent exports from Myanmar to the EU and US that are intended to protect domestic companies, he said.
U Han Tun said Vietnamese exporters have previously been subjected to tighter-than-usual testing by US authorities.
U Win Kyaing, MFF general secretary, said adding Myanmar onto the GSP list would provide quick profits to exporters – and increase competition.
However, he said the demand would likely outweigh supply.
“We need to do more market research to identify which species are wanted by different markets. There’s not much point trying to export to the EU and US markets because demand for that species in weak,” he said.
“But we should farm carp in smaller quantities because it’s a relatively safe market for us,” he said.
Daw Toe Nandar Tin, spokesperson of the Myanmar Fisheries Products Exporters and Processors Association, said the industry was battling a number of other problems that hindered its ability to make high-quality products.
“Exporters need 24-hour electricity to make fisheries products, as well as a stable exchange rate,” she said.
“GSP is a dream for us and has not been implemented yet,” she added.
“Our aim is to get exports back to the levels they were before sanctions were imposed in 2003 for as the first step,” she said.
However, U Soe Win, chair of the meeting and an MFF member, said that not only exporters but also producers need to start preparing for when remaining sanctions are dropped.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and 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