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."
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, Ben Tre province expanded its high-technology application in aquaculture by an additional 523 hectares, surpassing the planned target of 500 hectares and achieving a fulfillment rate of 104.6%. To date, the province has converted 3,633 hectares to high-tech aquaculture out of the 4,000-hectare goal, representing 90.82% progress towards the 2021-2025 phase plan. This sector yields an average productivity of 60-70 tons per hectare, with a total output reaching 221,282 tons. The average profit margin ranges from VND 700 to 800 million per farming season, delivering substantial economic benefits to the local populace.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025 In 2025, Vietnam's brackish water shrimp industry will continue to grow sustainably, enhancing value-added products with strong contributions from local authorities and the business community.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2025, the country's total seafood output was estimated at 594,100 tons, a 0.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Specifically, fish production reached 443,400 tons, up 0.7%; shrimp output was 56,300 tons, up 3.1%; and other seafood products totaled 94,400 tons, down 0.9%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The industrial pangasius production in Vinh Long province in 2024 reached 95,100 tons, a 4% decrease compared to 2023. Despite the decline in production, positive trends in the final months of the year offer hope for improving economic efficiency in the near future. Additionally, the increase in the area for industrial pangasius farming and the maintenance of overall aquaculture area demonstrate the province’s efforts to sustain its production activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2025, Vietnam's total seafood export value reached 774.3 million USD, a 3.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This is a positive result compared to January 2023, when the Lunar New Year fell at the end of the month, significantly impacting export outcomes.
(seafood.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam exported shrimp to 107 markets, up from 102 in 2023. The top 5 major markets for Vietnam’s shrimp exports were China & Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan, the EU, and South Korea, accounting for 76% of the total shrimp export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam's seafood sector successfully exported to numerous countries, reaching a milestone of USD 10 billion, a 12% increase compared to 2023. 2025 promises to be a prospective year for promoting exports to various markets, including target and potential markets such as the US, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU has been one of the largest consumers of Vietnamese pangasius over the past decade. However, data from Vietnam Customs reveals a gradual decline in EU imports of pangasius from Vietnam over the last five years.
The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in 2024 by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) was published amid positive developments in the country's seafood industry, marking a successful year with a total export value of USD 10 billion, a 12% increase compared to 2023. This milestone underscores the sustainable growth and exceptional potential of the seafood sector in contributing to the national economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tuna sector faced numerous challenges in the latter half of 2024. While the year proved memorable, with export turnover reaching nearly USD 1 billion, maintaining this growth trajectory requires renewed impetus for the tuna industry.
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