Park, who organized the 12th annual Surimi Industry Forum and Surimi School in Astoria, Oregon, this week, said at the event he expects Korean surimi producers to approach the US market "more aggressively" now that the renegotiated US Korea free-trade agreement has taken effect.
Park told the audience, which consisted of about 115 seafood company representatives and researchers representing eight countries, that brands that are familiar to US consumers should dip their toes into surimi seafood.
"I wouldn't be surprised if someday (soon) we saw Starkist crabstick," he said of the Korea-based Dongwon-owned US tuna giant. "Right now, they are not doing business well."
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Jim Ianelli said the outlook for Alaska pollock, from which surimi can be made, is positive. "The Eastern Bering Sea pollock quota looks like it will be stable going forward," Ianelli said.
The challenges surimi producers must overcome, however, include predicting the success of the other commodities that affect surimi, either directly, such as sugar and phosphate rock, or indirectly, such as oil.
"Sugar has been very tight in the market," Canadian food manufacturer Pacific Blends' John Wells said. "There's always talk of sugar coming down, but it hasn't."
In addition, corn has has "recent (price) jumps due to other usages," like biofuel, and phosphate rock is "running up slowly but staying relatively stable" at $150 (€115.7) per ton. Oil has seen "increases over the past few years," as well, Wells concluded, saying the commodities all greatly affect surimi price and production.
Aker BioMarine Vice President Chris McReynolds spoke about the trends in Japan, easily the biggest consumer of surimi in the world, even despite the devastating tsunami in March 2011. The economy "recovered very quickly," he said and the yen continues to stay strong. "That leaves Japan in a very strong position when it comes to purchasing," McReynolds said.
Still, surimi consumption isn't as high as it used to be, even in Japan and, like Park, McReynolds suggested companies create "new products to help stop declined consumption."
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
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