In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam's tilapia exports reached US$49 million, a 151% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive signs for the industry, with Brazil emerging as a major contributor to this boom, and frozen fillets continuing to play a key role.

Frozen Fillets Dominate Export Structure

In terms of product lines, frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 0304) accounted for over 80% of the total export value of the entire industry during this four-month period. Frozen whole fish (HS code 0303) ranked second with a significantly lower share, while value-added products (HS code 16) made almost no significant contribution. This high concentration on frozen fillets is partly driven by the breakthrough in Brazil, causing figures to deviate from the more diverse demands of other markets.

The data indicates that Vietnam's tilapia exports are entering a strong growth phase, led by Brazil and the frozen fillet group. While this concentration reflects the current advantage of Vietnamese businesses in quickly fulfilling large orders, it also highlights an opportunity to diversify into more value-added product lines moving forward.

Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports are rebounding strongly in early 2026, driven by booming demand in key Asian markets.

According to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million in the first four months of 2026, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

This growth comes despite global challenges, including unstable seafood demand, rising input costs, and increasingly stringent traceability and quality control requirements.

South Korea Anchors Growth

South Korea has solidified its position as the top destination for Vietnamese cephalopods:

• Export Turnover: Reached US$87 million, accounting for 37% of Vietnam's total squid and octopus exports.
• Growth: A 17% increase year-on-year, contributing an additional US$12 million in value.

While South Korea acts as a stable "market anchor" due to compatible consumer preferences and familiar import systems, experts warn that heavy reliance on a single market remains a long-term risk for Vietnamese businesses.

To mark the International Day for the Fight against IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) Fishing, celebrated every June 5th, the Bermeo Tuna association will host a round-table discussion open to the public next Thursday, June 4th, under the title:

"Impact of IUU Fishing on the Tuna Value Chain: From Traceability to Nutrition."

The event will take place at 1:00 PM at the Itsasmuseum in Bilbao, following the Bermeo Tuna General Assembly. It will bring together scientific and technological experts to analyze the impact of illegal fishing on ocean sustainability, food safety, the traceability of seafood products, and the competitiveness of the sector.

Participants will include:

• Sara Arranz, researcher at AZTI and nutrition expert.
• Sergio Gallastegi, CEO of Code Contract.
• Rogelio Pozo, CEO of AZTI, who will act as the moderator.

During the session, key topics will be addressed, such as the role of tuna in a healthy and sustainable diet, the importance of traceability in guaranteeing consumer trust, and the challenges posed by implementing the European CATCH system to strengthen control over seafood imports and combat illegal fishing.

Chile’s salmon industry is facing constraints as total biomass and key metrics continue to decline. According to data from Aquabench, the country's total salmon biomass fell to 434,600 tons by the end of April, marking a 4.9% year-on-year drop.

The number of salmon in stock dipped by 1.9% to 184.7 million, while the average body weight decreased 3.3% to 2.35 kg. Future supply growth also looks tight, as fry releases fell 2% year-on-year to 16 million in April.

Despite these constraints, Chilean salmon harvests in April managed a 3% year-on-year increase, reaching 61,700 tons, driven by higher harvest volumes even as average weights fell 1.6% to around 5 kg.

Meanwhile, the vital Brazilian market—which generates over US$800 million in annual trade for Chile—experienced a sharp price correction in week 22. Prices had previously spiked due to shipping delays caused by the Chilean Navy Day holiday. However, as logistics normalized and supply flooded back, export prices to Brazil fell significantly, directly impacting Chilean exporters.

The European Commission is seeking feedback as it prepares to revamp its multiannual management plans (MAP) across the European Union’s sea basins.

“The commission asks E.U. countries, the fishing sector, scientific institutions, non-governmental organizations, regional authorities and coastal communities to give their views and to send scientific, ecosystem and economic data on fisheries MAPsThe commission is also reconsidering the “5 percent rule” in the Baltic Sea, Northern Sea, and western waters. The 5 percent rule requires that fishing quotes be set with a less than 5 percent change of a population dropping below its safe biological limit.

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

A parliamentary majority in Norway is expected to vote on Thursday to instruct the government to abolish norm pricing and the Aquaculture Pricing Council from the 2027 income year, marking a significant shift in the country’s salmon tax framework.

The majority comprises Fremskrittspartiet, Høyre, Senterpartiet, Venstre and Kristelig Folkeparti. The move follows sustained pressure from the aquaculture industry, which has argued that the system creates tax uncertainty and imposes a significant administrative burden on companies.

The norm pricing regime was introduced as part of Norway’s resource rent tax on salmon and trout farming.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Colombo: A new initiative worth US$ 1.33 million (around Rs. 436 million) has been launched to restore livelihoods and boost freshwater fisheries in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. An agreement was signed at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo on May 29.

Financed by the Government of Japan with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the project assists communities affected by recent extreme weather, including Cyclone Ditwah, which devastated local income streams.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

• Modernising Aquaculture: Introduction of cage culture systems by deploying 200 fish cages across 30 selected reservoirs, alongside barrage netting systems.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Upgrading the Inginiyagala Fish Breeding Centre and training local fisheries organisations.
• Direct Support: Providing free fingerlings and feed for the first production cycle to reduce pressure on the struggling coastal sector.

Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar called the programme a vital step in modernising the industry, while Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to <

POND ISLAND — In a major step toward regional food security, representatives from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday.

Operating under the framework of the Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Alliance (DC ALFA), the agreement formalizes long-term collaboration through 2035. It targets critical areas including sustainable agriculture, fisheries development, climate resilience, and regional policy coordination.

The high-level signatories securing this future-oriented framework included:

• Geoffrey Wever (Aruba’s Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector)
• Clark Abraham (Bonaire Commissioner)
• Tyrone Boekhoudt (Curaçao Minister of Health, Environment and Nature)
• Bruce Zagers (Saba Commissioner)
• Rechelline Leerdam (Sint Eustatius Commissioner)
• Grisha Heyliger-Marten (Sint Maarten’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of TEATT)

This updated pact builds directly upon the initial foundational agreement established in 2023.