Consumers in
Current imports for Agama, a $200 million revenue importer, processor and distributor of shrimp, are currently practically nothing, Igor Salagaev, marketing manager at the firm, told Undercurrent News.
“Demand is very slow. Normally we import around 3,000 tons per month raw material, but at the moment, nothing,” he said.
Looking at yearly import statistics for shrimp, of which cooked, head-on, shell-on is the main product for the Russian market, it is clear that demand is dwindling. The volume of shrimp imported in 2012 was 30,245 metric tons – 21% lower than just two years previously.
So far for 2013 Agama has imported 10,843t, and Salagaev forecasts the year total will reach 26,500t – another 12% drop year-on-year.
“The big picture is that the coldwater shrimp market is going down,” he said. “The market will lose 10%, 15% of imports.”
“Just look at the monthly figures: the standard monthly imports is around 2,500 – 3,000 mt. In April- May it was about 1,000-1,400t. We have not been importing for the past months as well.”
There are two reasons for this drop in imports, and the first is the price for the importer.
Several of the largest Russian firms have traditionally focused on importing small sizes shrimp, 180+ pieces per kg, or 200+, said Salagaev, whose own firm Agama has been paying more attention to larger shrimp.
The prices for these shrimp have been increasing for several years now, and has stabilized at a level much higher than it used to be.
“People only just started to care about quality, last year maybe. Now they are beginning to buy good quality shrimp” “Russian importers are not interested. They were buying cheap, and selling on as a cheap product,” he said. “Now if they buy it they have to sell it at a worse margin.”
He also pointed out that the ruble has lost 10% against the euro and the dollar, which makes it even less worthwhile purchasing expensive products to sell cheaply.
The second reason for the drop in imports is that Russian consumers are buying less prawns at better levels of quality.
The MSC certification of Greenland’s shrimp fishery means little to
“People only just started to care about quality, last year maybe. Now they are beginning to buy good quality shrimp.”
Once again he has the statistics to back this: last year Agama’s sales of own-brand, larger sized shrimp was around 195t per month. This year sales have been 260t per month.
Around three months ago the firm, which is in the process of setting up a chain of stores throughout
“Another item is the 50/70, which is popular in
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(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.
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