“It used to be inexpensive and plentiful, and as a result it was widely used in aquafeeds … However the economics and availabilities of fishmeal have changed and there needs to be a move away to using other ingredients to save money and for other ecological reasons … also, many certification programs also demand a reduction,” said Lukas Manomaitis, an aquaculture and seafood consultant at Bangkok-based Seafood Consulting Associates.
Low global inventories and restricted fishing quotas in key producers like
“Fishmeal is a very good ingredient for aquafeeds because … it doesn’t require a lot of work in formulation,” he said. “As in so many cases, the new feeds may perform as well, or even better, than the old feeds, but farmers are conservative and think that they have to have something that looks and smells the same for it to be good. Farmers now expect that feeds will smell ‘fishy.’”
Aside from feed, the aquaculture sector in
“The reasons for this are many, but in
Aquaculture in the region needs to better focus on the genetics of brood stock, said Manomaitis.
“Inbreeding, lack of strain development and no genetics plan has led to many hatcheries producing sub-optimal qualities and quantities of fingerlings,” he said. “Disease is an issue, where some disease is coming right from the hatchery to the farms. So a good health management program is key … Feeds could be improved as well.”
To increase the use of fishmeal alternatives, Manomaitis said he believes sales and technical staff will have to be on hand to show that feeds “that do not look or smell like they used to will perform just as well.” Rising soybean prices due to tight supply in the 2012 harvest means soybeans have become a slightly less attractive replacement, but Manomaitis (who also represents the
“The key issue in the past year was the tightness of the soy market due to drought and floods in every major production area for soy — and
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in February that
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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