This year, Meg Major reports one retail executive told PG: “Overall, 2013 was a consistently good year from both a dollar and pound standpoint. Consumers were still buying our biggest driver, shrimp, even as price increases were passed on. It was probably one of the best years we’ve seen with our seafood sales in recent memory.”
PG’s survey for shrimp showed average dollars per store per week of $1,861, which is a 2.5% increase from the prior year. Volume declined by 2.1%, and promotional sales were cut back a relatively large 3%. Average retail prices were $8.04 which is up 7.7% from a year ago.
Other news from the survey was quite good, according to Major. For the first time ever in the twenty year history of this survey, not one of their retail panelists projected decreased seafood sales in 2014. 45.5% projected increased sales, and 54.5% anticipated static sales.
Other positives noted by Major were stronger demand for wild-caught products, certified sustainable products, and seasonal choices.
Within fresh seafood, the fin fish category increased average dollars and volume during the latest 52 weeks (up 3.5% and 5.3% respectively).
The crustaceans category (which includes crab and lobster, but not shrimp) had the largest growth within fresh seafood, up 7.2% in average weekly dollar sales and 12.7 percent in volume, aided by a 2.1 percent dip in average retail price.
The weekly dollar sales reported were $2,580 for finfish, $1,861 for shrimp, $717 for crustaceans, and $252 for mollusks.
The most interesting aspects of this survey, going into the Boston seafood show, is the confidence boost it gives retailers that consumers will stick with seafood, driven by increased interest in health and the variety of seafood products available.
With the decrease in promotional spending, another thing highlighted by Meg Major was the increased role for partners like Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the Louisiana Seafood Marketing Board in developing retail promotion activities.
(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.
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