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 has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
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