For late October and early November, the prices are at around $1,700-$1,720 per metric ton, cost and freight (CNF) Bangkok, for whole round, frozen skipjack, in sizes of 4-7.5 pounds (1.8-3.4 kilos).
Since hitting a peak of around $2,350/t in April, prices have continued to fall, with the current level down around 27% of this peak.
“For December, I wouldn’t be surprised if it [the price in Bangkok] dropped again,” an Asia-based source with a supplier told Undercurrent News.
Another source, based in the US, said he’d heard talk circulating of a deal done at $1,650/t, adding the price is definitely at $1,700/t.
“It’s certainly going in that direction [$1,650/t], which I think we will see for December fish deliveries, as the boats are now back fishing on FADS [fish aggregating devices]” in the Western Pacific, he toldUndercurrent.
From July 1 to Oct. 31, the Western and Central Pacific Ocean is closed to fishing using FADs.
Fishing was weak in the final few months of the FAD closure, sources said, with a lot of small fish caught. Despite this, prices continued to fall.
“Thai canners are trying to push the price of tuna down very hard, despite poor fishing in the Western Pacific the last couple of months, due to the FAD closure,” said one US-based source.
“It’s a ‘game of chicken’, between the traders and Thai processors right now, with the traders trying to hold the price up,” he said.
“If fishing is strong, expect prices to drop further,” said the source, of the next few weeks. “If fishing is soft, they will bounce right back up to $2,000/t.”
Buyers are aware the market is falling and plants around the world — Bangkok, Europe; West Africa; Indian Ocean; and Ecuador — are well stocked, sources said.
“With most finished product buyers in the US and Europe aware that prices are falling, but not yet bottomed-out, they are still staying out of the market, unless they have immediate need of some product,” one source told Undercurrent.
“So, production volumes haven’t picked up to a level that will absorb this fish in the short term. We still have some way to go, in my opinion,” he said.
“Worldwide, canneries are mostly well supplied, with some Bangkok plants covered well into January, so canners can out-wait the traders in many cases. Interesting times ahead,” the source said.
(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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