Alaska pollock was the most purchased and consumed fish in Germany market. Demand for Alaska pollock in the country reported highest growth from 22.1 percent in 2011 to 26 percent in 2012. Cod ranked the second because of its abundant supply and lower price. German consumers prefer frozen fish to fresh one.
Despite being the most imported item in Germany in 2013, import volume of Alaska pollock into the market downed over 2012. Of frozen fish fillets entering the market, cod ranked the second. The next were pangasius/catfish and hake.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), through September 2013, Germany imported 100,973 MT of frozen Alaska pollock fillets, down 7.6 percent year-on-year. Frozen pangasius/catfish fillets sent to the market downed 14.1 percent year-on-year to 13,201 MT, pangasius mainly originated from Vietnam (making up 98 percent).
Of whitemeat fish consumed by Germany, cod was the only item reporting the positive growth in import volume thanks to its large supply and lower price. While imports of other items (pangasius, Alaska pollock, hake) downed.
German’s consumption demand for frozen food, mainly meat, seafood and vegetable is increasingly high. German’s demand for frozen seafood is recovering after the reduction of 3.8 percent in 2012.
In the first 9 months of 2013, import price of frozen Alaska pollock fillets into Germany was US$2.99 per kilogram, down 1.6 percent year-on-year. Frozen cod fillets imported into the market were quoted at US$5.57 per kilogram, down 8.08 percent. The price of frozen pangasius fillets was US$2.61, down 13.2 percent over the same time of 2012 (US$3.01) and US$3.41 for hake, up 4.9 percent from US$3.25 of the compatible time 2012.
|
Imports of frozen pangasius and catfish fillets into Germany in 2013 (Unit: MT) |
|||||||||
|
Origin |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
|
Vietnam |
1345 |
1815 |
1327 |
1365 |
1150 |
1058 |
1163 |
1194 |
1331 |
|
Netherlands |
73 |
83 |
117 |
79 |
80 |
110 |
101 |
163 |
136 |
|
Belgium |
44 |
9 |
32 |
34 |
24 |
23 |
24 |
22 |
28 |
|
Poland |
24 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
Lithuania |
0 |
0 |
56 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
The U.S. |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Austria |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Greece |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
Italy |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kazakhstan |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
China |
48 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Denmark |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
66 |
0 |
|
The U.K |
17 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(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.
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