Because of change in the migration route of saury, landings up to mid-September were only 20 percent of the previous year’s, leading to wholesale prices at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market to double or triple year-on-year.
Retail stores have not been able to offer saury at the bargain price of about JPY 100 (USD 1.02, EUR 0.75), as they have in recent years. Instead, supermarket prices of JPY 198 (USD 2, EUR 1.49) were seen in August and early September. Large fish were offered as high as JPY 250 (USD 2.55, EUR 1.89) to JPY 350 (USD 3.57, EUR 2.64) in
Juvenile saury migrate to the North Pacific in spring and run back down along the coast of
This year, summer was hot in
The fishing
According to the Tohoku National Fisheries Research Institute of the Fisheries Research Agency, since 2010, saury traditionally frequenting Japanese waters have moved toward the east of the
Pacific saury catches fluctuate widely by year, depending on the weather and other factors. In fiscal 2009, catches were abundant, reaching around 300,000 metric tons (MT). In fiscal 2010 — which this year is shaping up to resemble — only about 200,000 MT were caught, as unseasonably warm ocean waters kept the fish well offshore in deep water, and to the north of Hokkaido. The following year the fishery was struck by tsunami with massive losses of vessels and frozen saury stocks, but with good catches once the season began. Last year was fairly normal, with an ample catch and typical migration route.
Saury, or “sanma,” is commonly broiled whole, and served garnished with grated daikon radish. To add insult to injury, daikon radish was also expensive this year. Rainy weather prevented insecticide application in
The higher price for saury had led to price rises in similar blue-skinned fish used for grilling. The average price of fresh domestic sardines at Tsukiji peaked at JPY 1,155 (USD 11.78, EUR 8.71) per kilogram on 3 September.
On 14 September, a dealer at the Tsukiji market commented, “Saury have become cheaper finally, and toward the end of the month it is increasing in size.”
(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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