Data from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) showed that export-grade yellowfin tuna landing in the first quarter of the year reached only 505 metric tons.
This is down 4.3 percent or 23 MT from the 528 recorded in the first three months of 2012, data from the state-owned corporation added.
PFDA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, manages the operation of the local fish port complex, as well as seven other fish complexes in the different parts of the country.
The best yellowfin tuna stocks go mostly to the
Most of the fresh mature yellowfin tuna landed locally goes to the domestic markets, simply because they do not pass the export quality.
There was in fact a significant increase in the landings of non-export grade yellow fin tuna in the first quarter of 2013 to 2,034 MT from 1,517 MT for the same period last year, up 34 percent or by 517 MT.
The sashimi-grade tuna fetches a hefty average buying price of P355 per kilogram (kg) in the first quarter of 2013. For the same period last year, the average gate price was P325/kg or cheaper by P30/kg.
On the other hand, those sold in the domestic market in the first three months of 2013 commanded an average buying price of P218/kg and P148 for the same period in 2012.
But who unload the best catches of the day these past years?
John Heitz, export chief of GenSan Aqua Traders who has been in the industry for at least two decades, said it is not the big fishing industry players anymore but the small ordinary fishermen.
The American expatriate cited earlier the stricter policy of
The pact provided licenses to the
“It’s not anymore the big fishing boats that are bringing in the best tuna catch but the small ones owned by poor fishermen,” Rolly Puno, a tuna fish classifier, also observed way back in 2009.
These small boats venture in the sea for a few days so their catches unloaded here most of the time are the freshest, he said.
(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.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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