Food prices have been blamed for a rebound in inflation in China, to 3.6 percent in March from a low of 3.2 percent in February. A weakening of China’s import growth, meanwhile, has led to concern that demand in China is softening.
Seafood prices increased 11.4 percent year-on-year in March, compared to a 7.5 percent rise in February. A 13.2 percent rise in January is easily explained by a spike in Chinese New Year demand. However, price increases had ebbed each month since, from a 15 percent rise in July 2011 to a 9.7 percent rise in December.
A local seafood trade body sees the price rises as seasonal rather than an indication of deeper economic malaise. Speaking to SeafoodSource, Cui He, deputy secretary general of the China Aquatic Products Processing & Marketing Association (CAPPMA), said the figures reflected seasonal patterns in consumption and supply.
Cui believes the “short period of supply,” especially for product from local fish farms, caused prices to grow 11.4 percent in March, compared to the 7.5 percent rise recorded in February. Cold weather, particularly in China’s northern regions, tightens supply in January and February, said Cui.
“Also remember only 30 percent of China’s [seafood] consumption is made up of [wild-caught fish], the rest of the supply comes from aquaculture,” he explained.
Seafood prices appear to mirror seasonal trends in other key food categories. Vegetable prices posted a 20.5 percent gain in March, though fresh fruit prices contracted by 6.2 percent. Meat and poultry prices increased 11.3 percent in March, continuing a monthly decline from a 33.6 percent rise in July 2011. Prices did, however, spike in January, by 18.7 percent, compared to a 16.6 percent rise in December, suggesting the effect of weather and Chinese New Year demand also driving up seafood prices.
“The supply crunch was particularly obvious in northern China in this period [January to March],” said Cui. He said he expects a dip in prices with the onset of warmer weather in April.
Seafood consumption is also seasonal. Cui explained that there’s usually a drop-off in April, prompting lower prices, and a pick-up in May, which brings a May Day holiday and more restaurant trade.
China’s government has made taming inflation within 4 percent a central priority of 2012 and has tamed credit growth accordingly, limiting liquidity from state-owned banks, for example. While seafood prices are likely to fall in April, Cui warns that rising input costs in 2012, particularly in the form of climbing oil prices, may keep prices high.
Other recent data has sparked concern that demand in China may be cooling. The General Administration of Customs released figures earlier this week that showed weakening exports and imports. While China recorded a surplus of USD 5.35 billion in March, compared to a deficit of USD 31.48 billion in February, its exports jumped 8.9 percent year-on-year in March to USD 165.6 billion, while imports were up 5.3 percent percent to USD 160.3 billion, compared to 39.6 percent growth in imports in the previous month.
This slower pace of growth worries Chinese policymakers as it reflects weaknesses in the local processing sector — a large portion of China’s import figures are made up of materials for processing plants for re-export.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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