These remarks were made Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the conference, keeping in mind the EU is currently negotiating free trade agreements with Thailand.
Maintaining the current tariff system is a "must-have" for regulating access to the EU canned tuna market from third countries, specifically for Asian giants such as Thailand and Vietnam, Vieites said.
Both conditions are "essential" to maintain balance not only at a European level but in the global tuna market, Vieites said, adding that tuna is regarded as a "sensitive product" by the European Commission (EC) in such negotiations.
The statement read by Vieites also called on the EC to ensure "the same playing field in which the European industry can compete with third country industries, which should comply with similar standards as the EU in “food respect for the environment , in order to ensure a truly fair competition in the EU market.
"The EC should safeguard the future of the EU tuna industry and ensure their economic and social viability," Vieites said.
Galicia is home to Spain's tuna canning industry, and the Vigo conference drew representatives from 29 countries, all of whome, naturally, did not see eye to eye with the European stand.
At the end of this declaration, somebody in the audience asked Chanintr Chalisarapong -- vice-president of the Thai Food Processors Association and chairman of the Thai Tuna Group -- whether he saw double standards in the EU industry calling for strict regulations in importing canned tuna products, and not on importing tuna loins, as they are raw material for the European tuna industry, and whether there may be political motivations behind EJF's report on human rights abuse in the Thai fishing industry.
Chalisarapong answered the EJF report was based on a Thai police report, and unfortunately such practices had been going on for some years, but the Thai seafood industry was taking steps to protect its migrant workers, who are the “backbone” of the industry, and it is in the Thai seafood industry to protect its workers.
As to the calls for an even playing field, the Thai representative retorted that the field should indeed be fair, so Thailand should not be singled out when it comes to slapping import duties.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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