Germany is a big market for fish and fishery products with an annual consumption up to hundreds of tonnes. Frozen fish fillets made up the major part in terms of volume and value. Fish of all varieties and products are getting more popular and are seen as an alternative source of protein and healthy foods.
Imports of fish into Germany were increasing over ten years, but started to slide down since 2012. Imported fish products (HS03) totaled US$4.027 billion, 7.5 percent fewer than those in 2011, mainly due to economic downturn, which has still been weakening Germans’ consumption. The most favourist fishes are Alaska pollock, herring, salmon, tuna and pangasius.
In the first quarter of 2013, Germany sourced 4,877 MT of seafood products from 11 supplying countries, lower than 5,875 MT of the compatible quarter of 2012. It purchased most frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam with a volume of 4,877 MT, lower than 5,373 MT volume registered a year ago.
Entries of some whitemeat fish species into this market have been on the upward trend. Between January and March 2013, Germany bought 38,018 MT of frozen fillets of Alaska pollock, up from 37,459 MT and 5,831 MT of frozen cod fillets, higher compared to the 5,548 MT registered in January - March 2012.
Pangasius imports declined in the first quarter of 2013 because consumption demand for seafood was still weak, while other whitemeat fish with decreasing prices were fully available in the market. Germany is a price-sensitive market; therefore, consumers are turning to eat other whitemeat fish species, which fell to lower prices. Additionally, whitemeat fish traders are strengthening promotion of their products.
German consumers are currently focusing on seafood quality and price, so they mostly eat products with high prestige and certification of quality. Government also encourages consumers to buy sustainable fish. Most of local retailers put sustainable products into their purchasing policies. Therefore, finding certified-fish producers and suppliers is one of the priorities of German seafdood importers.
The first ASC-certified fish products have been largely promoted by ASC in Europe. However, it must take more time to educate European consumers about the benefits of ASC certification and certified products. Germany is one of the first markets supporting the appearance of these products. Lenk Seafood, a local fish retailer, says that there are still not much people knowing about ASC fish, so sustainably certified-fish products, including pangasius, may see opportunities of development in the market.
|
Top five exporters of frozen fish fillets (HS0304) into Germany, MT |
|||
|
Origin |
January 2013 |
February 2013 |
March 2013 |
|
China |
12,934 |
11,264 |
10,486 |
|
Denmark |
3,501 |
2,742 |
3,012 |
|
The U.S. |
2,930 |
4,042 |
2,884 |
|
The Netherlands |
1,322 |
1,579 |
1,672 |
|
Vietnam |
1,840 |
2,250 |
1,554 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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