In Ho Chi Minh City, several companies are leading the charge. Phuc Loc Co. Ltd. processes around 60 tonnes of by-products daily to produce 4,000–5,000 tonnes of fishmeal annually, generating revenues of 72–90 billion VND (approximately 3–3.9 million USD). Similarly, Tu Hai Co. Ltd. exports cleaned and dried fish bones to Japan, earning 10–12 billion VND annually.

On the research front, the Southern Research Institute for Marine Fisheries converts mixed crab species into canned crab paste and chitosan powder, a high-value raw material for healthcare and agriculture, sold at up to 1,000 USD per kilogram. Beyond industrial applications, companies like Hai Lan Co. Ltd. transform shells into souvenirs, artwork, and jewelry, reaching global markets through platforms like Alibaba.

Forecasts from the agriculture and environment sector indicate a massive potential for seafood by-products. Shrimp heads alone could provide 490,000 tonnes of food products, pangasius offcuts 100,000 tonnes, and fish oil 150,000 tonnes annually. By 2030, shrimp by-products could reach 650,000 tonnes worth 80–100 million USD, while pangasius by-products could hit 1.3 million tonnes, valued at over 500 million USD.

Officials highlight that converting by-products into resources requires a strategic approach, supported by policies, investment, and collaboration among businesses and scientists. This transformation not only creates tens of thousands of jobs but also reduces environmental pressure from seafood waste.

Currently, Vietnam generates roughly one million tonnes of seafood by-products annually, yet only a fraction is processed, with the sector’s current value at around 275 million USD—far below its billion-dollar potential.

By turning seafood waste into “blue gold,” Vietnam is setting an example of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the global seafood industry.

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Tariffs Upend a Dependable Trade Flow

The U.S. recently imposed a 58% tariff on Indian shrimp including anti-dumping and the extra 25%. For an industry where margins are already thin, the move has made Indian shrimp far less competitive in its top export destination.

As a result, shipments have slowed drastically. Exporters report cancelled or postponed orders, while inventories of frozen shrimp pile up in cold storage. Processing plants, which rely on steady exports to keep their lines running, have scaled back operations.

Farmers’ Plight: Falling Prices, Mounting Debts

Shrimp farmers in Andhra Pradesh and other coastal states are among the hardest hit. With exporters cutting back purchases, farm-gate prices have plunged, making it nearly impossible for farmers to cover the cost of feed, pond maintenance, and loans.

Many have warned they may abandon shrimp cultivation altogether. One farmer told U.S. public radio that the situation is “very, very bad” and might force him to stop farming after his next harvest. For smallholders, the combination of low prices and outstanding bank debts is pushing them into financial distress.

Exporters/Processors: Factories and Markets Under Pressure

Exporters — who are also the processors running India’s shrimp factories — face a different but equally damaging crisis. With U.S. demand drying up, their frozen inventories are swelling. To stay liquid, they have cut the price offered to farmers, which in turn worsens the farmers’ position.

Processing plants have slowed production lines, with reports of workers losing hours or shifts. This is particularly devastating for thousands of women who depend on shrimp peeling and packing jobs to support their families.

The U.S. tariff shock has also disrupted shipping schedules, forcing exporters to renegotiate contracts and absorb losses on already shipped consignments.

Coping Strategies: Diversification and Survival Tactics

Despite the disruption, the industry is trying to adapt:

• Shifting Markets: Exporters are gradually redirecting inventories toward Europe, China, and the Middle East, though competition and strict standards remain obstacles.
• Domestic Push: There are growing calls within India to promote shrimp consumption domestically, positioning it as a healthy protein source and a buffer against export volatility.
• Inventory Management: Exporters are working to slowly reduce their frozen stockpiles, even if that means taking losses in the short term.

Farmers, meanwhile, are experimenting with survival strategies. Some are considering switching to other forms of aquaculture, such as fish, which face less export dependency. Others are seeking collective bargaining through local associations to press for government relief.

Outlook: A Supply Chain Under Strain

The tariff war has exposed how vulnerable India’s shrimp industry is to policy shocks in a single key market. Farmers, processors, and exporters are all entangled in the same struggle — one side cannot survive without the other.

For now, the sector is in damage-control mode: exporters are offloading inventories, farmers are hanging on through a poor season, and policymakers are being urged to step in with support. The real test will be whether India can successfully diversify away from overreliance on the U.S. market, and in the process, build a more resilient shrimp supply chain or successful to make a good deal with Trump administration.

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A Path to Sustainable Growth

The journey to this landmark goal is not without challenges. As Vietnam strengthens its position in the global seafood market, it faces increased scrutiny over antibiotic residues in exports. According to Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the National Authority for Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality, Processing, and Market Development, ensuring strict quality standards will be essential in maintaining Vietnam’s export credibility.

The US Market: A Major Battleground

The United States remains one of Vietnam’s most crucial export markets, particularly for shrimp and tra fish (pangasius). Despite fierce competition from industry giants like India, Ecuador, and Indonesia, Vietnam’s shrimp exports saw a 15% rise in 2024, reaching nearly $3.9 billion. The country’s success lies in its strategic approach to value-added seafood products, including frozen fillets, tra fish skewers, skin snacks, and pureed fish balls—a growing favorite among American consumers.

Adding to Vietnam’s advantage is a recent resolution with the US at the WTO, which ended a long-standing anti-dumping dispute over pangasius exports. This victory is expected to smooth trade relations and strengthen Vietnam’s presence in the global market.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite its achievements, Vietnam’s seafood industry faces mounting climate change impacts, rising production costs, and tougher competition from major seafood-exporting nations. Higher feed, fuel, and transportation expenses threaten profit margins, making it crucial for the industry to innovate.

Recognizing these challenges, the Directorate of Fisheries has outlined a shift in focus for 2025: rather than expanding shrimp and tra fish farms, the priority will be on deep processing techniques to enhance product value and reduce waste. The industry is also diversifying its aquaculture species, incorporating eel, tilapia, seaweed, and mollusks to tap into new market demands.

A Future Rooted in Sustainability

Vietnam is also embracing circular economy principles—finding innovative ways to utilize seafood byproducts to minimize environmental impact. By investing in value-added processing, the industry aims to extract greater value from each harvest while maintaining long-term sustainability.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Phung Duc Tien, sees a bright future for Vietnam’s fisheries sector. However, he emphasizes that productivity improvements, tighter quality controls, and disease management will be key to success. The industry must also address concerns about shrimp feed and antibiotic use to meet international safety standards and maintain its competitive edge.

Vietnam’s Seafood Industry: Rising to the Challenge

As Vietnam charts its path to $11 billion in seafood exports, the industry is proving that growth is not just about numbers—it’s about innovation, sustainability, and resilience. With a strong export strategy, a commitment to quality enhancement, and a growing portfolio of seafood products, Vietnam is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the global market.

For seafood lovers across the world, the future looks promising. Vietnam’s journey is a testament to how a country can transform its fisheries sector into a powerhouse—balancing growth with responsibility, and setting a benchmark for sustainable aquaculture worldwide.

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The introduction of closed mine-based fish farming in Rajnandgaon district has significantly increased the production of fish species like Pangasius and Tilapia. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), two closed mines have been converted into thriving aquaculture hubs at a cost of $0.8 million, producing approximately three tons of fish per cage. These fish are now ready to be supplied nationwide, strengthening fish markets and contributing to the blue economy.

This initiative has created jobs for over 150 individuals, with women earning $70-90 monthly. The government’s subsidy of 40–60% under PMMSY has further enabled fish farmers to adopt the advanced cage culture method, which not only ensures a healthy environment for fish rearing but also reduces the risk of infections. The technique has proven to save time and costs while substantially increasing production levels.

In a mine in Joratarai, 162 unit cages were installed at a cost of $0.54 million, demonstrating the model’s scalability and effectiveness. This effort has turned disused water bodies into centres of economic activity, improving livelihoods and optimising water resource use.

In 2023, Chattisgarh reported a fish production of 652,000 metric tons, a substantial increase from 591,000 metric tons the previous year. This remarkable achievement highlights the state’s growing influence as a leader in sustainable aquaculture, inspiring similar initiatives across the India.

By leveraging innovative practices, Chattisgarh is setting an example of how targeted investments in aquaculture can drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social development in rural areas.

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Under the agreement, AquaBioTech Group will support FDO with a range of consulting services, including business strategy development and technical due diligence to foster robust growth across Oman’s aquaculture and fisheries initiatives. With a substantial funding allocation of $1.2 billion from the Omani government, FDO is poised to co-invest in a variety of aquaculture and biotechnology projects nationwide.

Current initiatives include significant investments in strategic aquaculture operations, such as seabream cage farming with Blue Water LLC, shrimp farms in Al Sharqiayah South Governorate, and developing Duqm’s fishing port. These projects are instrumental in advancing Oman’s position in global seafood markets, says Badar Said al Naabi, FDO’s Business Development Director, underscoring the critical role of the fisheries sector in Oman’s economy.

Shane A. Hunter, CEO of AquaBioTech Group, expressed excitement over the partnership, noting the alignment with Oman’s bold ambitions for the sector. He highlighted AquaBioTech’s commitment to supporting FDO in unlocking new market opportunities within Oman’s growing aquaculture industry.

FDO’s portfolio under consideration covers diverse areas such as fish and shrimp feed production, mussel farming, microalgae cultivation, abalone farming, macroalgae and seaweed cultivation, tuna ranching, and land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for species like salmon, European seabass, and grouper. This broad focus reflects Oman’s intention to lead in sustainable aquaculture, leveraging these investments to elevate both the economy and the environment.

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With markets stabilising in the latter half of 2024, Vietnam’s seafood industry has regained momentum, and the third quarter recorded exports worth $2.76 billion, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. Key products such as shrimp, tra fish, crab, and mollusks have led this surge in demand.

Shrimp Exports Lead the Way

Shrimp exports continue to be Vietnam’s leading seafood product, earning approximately $2.8 billion in the first nine months of the year, reflecting a 10.5% growth. While frozen shrimp exports face tough competition from Ecuador and India, Vietnam’s processed shrimp remains strong in international markets. Processed whiteleg shrimp exports have grown by 10%, while frozen whiteleg shrimp saw a 4.5% increase.

Tra Fish and Crab Exports Surge

Tra fish (Pangasius), one of Vietnam’s top export products, has contributed $1.46 billion to the overall fishery exports, marking an 8% rise. Processed tra fish exports jumped by an impressive 42%, highlighting a growing preference for value-added products in global markets. Crab exports have shown remarkable growth, surging by 56% in the third quarter alone, with a total nine-month increase of 66%. China’s strong demand is the primary driver of this growth.

Challenges and Outlook for 2024

While tuna exports showed strong performance earlier in the year, a shortage of raw materials has slowed the growth since August. Despite this, Vietnam’s tuna exports still increased by 16% year-on-year, reaching $715 million in nine months.

VASEP predicts that Vietnam total fishery exports value for 2024 will reach $9.5 billion, a 7% increase from 2023. Shrimp exports are expected to hit nearly $4 billion, tra fish exports could rise to $2 billion, and tuna is forecast to bring in close to $1 billion. Additionally, squid and octopus exports are projected to contribute $640 million.

With these promising trends, Vietnam remains a key player in the global seafood market, contributing significantly to international seafood trade.

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The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has called for urgent implementation of TED in fishing nets to address the ban and protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles. MPEDA’s Odisha chapter is spearheading efforts to encourage the adoption of this device in fishing trawl nets to prevent the deaths of Olive Ridley turtles and remove the U.S. ban.

Dr. Joice V. Thomas, Chief Executive of the Network for Fish Quality Management & Sustainable Fishing (NETFISH), explained that under Section 609 of the U.S. Public Law 101-162, shrimp can only be imported into the U.S. if the exporting nation ensures its shrimping practices do not adversely affect sea turtles. Currently, India has not been certified by the U.S. Department of State due to non-compliance with TED regulations, making it ineligible to export wild-caught shrimp to the U.S.

The ban has inflicted massive financial losses on India’s seafood sector, with annual losses estimated at Rs. 4,500 crore (USD 550 million). The Odisha MPEDA coordinator, Subhrakanta Mohapatra, emphasized the importance of implementing TED to mitigate these losses and protect both the shrimp industry and sea turtles. Mohapatra raised this issue at the State Level Stakeholders Workshop on TED Implementation, organized in collaboration with the Odisha Department of Fisheries.

TED is a critical device that allows turtles to escape fishing nets while still capturing shrimp. It significantly reduces the accidental capture of turtles by 97%, with only a 2% reduction in prawn catch. This device can play a crucial role in not only removing the U.S. shrimp export ban but also protecting endangered sea turtles along India’s coastlines.

Olive Ridley turtles, which nest along the Odisha coast, are highly protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Their primary nesting areas, such as the Gahirmatha rookery in Kendrapara district, are globally renowned as the largest nesting sites for this species. However, the mortality rate of Olive Ridleys is alarmingly high due to trawling operations, making the use of TED vital for their conservation.

Despite a 1998 Orissa High Court ruling mandating TED in all trawlers, compliance remains low, exacerbating the threat to Olive Ridley turtles. Debananda Bhanja, Additional Director of the Odisha Fisheries Department, highlighted that turtles often perish after becoming entangled in fishing nets or being struck by trawler propellers. Strengthened enforcement of TED usage is critical to protecting this endangered species.

The continued ban on wild-caught shrimp exports to the U.S. underscores the importance of adhering to sustainable fishing practices. For India’s seafood industry to recover, timely adoption of TED and compliance with U.S. regulations are crucial. This will not only safeguard the livelihoods of shrimp farmers and traders but also ensure the protection of the fragile marine ecosystem along India’s coastlines.

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While the focus has been largely on synthetic meats, the seafood industry could stand to benefit from this move. With public and political support leaning heavily towards natural, sustainable food production, Italy’s seafood industry may find a larger platform to promote itself as a healthier, more environmentally friendly alternative. According to a survey by Notosondaggi, 74% of Italians back the ban, indicating widespread support for natural food sources, which could create new opportunities for the seafood sector.

The statement from Coldiretti says, “This reflects our efforts, with over two million signatures collected and support from more than 2,000 municipalities. Political leaders from all sides, national and European parliamentarians, as well as local officials, have backed the cause.”

Coldiretti points out that the Senate’s decision mirrors the concerns raised in the first FAO-WHO report on “Cellular-based food,” which the organizations believe is a clearer term than “cultivated meat.” These global authorities also note that the term “synthetic” is used by academics and the media. The report lists 53 potential health risks tied to lab-grown foods, including allergies and even cancer.

Environmental concerns are part of the issue too. Research from Derrick Risner and his team at the University of California, Davis, found that producing synthetic foods / meat has 4 to 25 times the carbon footprint of traditional beef.

“Italy, being a world leader in food quality and safety, has the responsibility to lead the charge in health and environmental protection,” said Ettore Prandini, Coldiretti’s president. He emphasized the “precautionary principle” that drives the legislation. Prandini also called on European institutions to treat lab-grown foods as pharmaceutical products during the approval process, rather than categorizing them as food.

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These reports revealed issues such as child labor, forced labor, and inhumane working conditions in Indian shrimp processing facilities, particularly in Andhra Pradesh. The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), an organization representing shrimp producers in the U.S., played a key role in pushing for the inclusion of Indian shrimp on the DOL’s list. They cited the same reports as evidence of labor exploitation in the industry.

The shrimp processing plants in India are said to operate under extremely poor conditions, with workers facing significant hardships. ILAB’s report highlights instances of debt bondage, where workers are charged high job-placement fees that leave them trapped in financial servitude. Many workers are forced to live in employer-provided housing near the worksites, often located in remote areas, with security measures that include lock-ins and surveillance, restricting their freedom of movement.

In addition to the physical abuse and verbal harassment reported, workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals, endure long hours of standing, and face the risk of injury due to the lack of proper protective equipment. Housing conditions are described as overcrowded, unsanitary, and poorly maintained.

One of the more prominent revelations came from Josh Farinella, a former general manager of the shrimp processing company Choice Canning in Kerala, India. Farinella became a whistleblower after witnessing firsthand the poor conditions at the facility. He recounted instances of antibiotic-contaminated shrimp being shipped to the U.S. and employees being forced to stay at the facility against their will. Despite these allegations, Choice Canning has denied any wrongdoing, stating that they have passed social compliance audits and asserting that forced labor does not exist in India’s shrimp industry.

The addition of Indian shrimp to the ILAB’s list has significant implications for the U.S. shrimp market. The Southern Shrimp Alliance has urged all U.S. buyers to exercise due diligence when sourcing shrimp from India, potentially impacting the reputation and demand for Indian seafood in the global market.

India’s shrimp industry is a major player in global seafood exports, contributing billions to the country’s economy. However, the reports of labor abuses have put the industry under intense scrutiny. With shrimp being such a valuable export, this new designation could result in increased regulatory measures and stricter import controls by countries like the U.S., which prioritize ethical sourcing practices.

The case of Indian shrimp serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind global food supply chains. As the world demands sustainable and ethical seafood production, it is essential for industries to adopt transparent practices that protect workers’ rights, improve working conditions, and ensure that forced labor and child labor are eradicated. Collaborative efforts between governments, companies, and consumers are crucial in building a seafood industry that values both human rights and environmental sustainability.

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The tilapia has now spread to 17 provinces, and efforts to control it range from crowds gathering to fish them out of lakes to using genetic modification. However, the problem persists. During a parliamentary investigation, Bangkok MP Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat stressed, “We cannot pass a devastated ecosystem to the next generation.”

The blackchin tilapia is a West African fish that preys on small fish, shrimp, and snails, key products in Thailand’s aquaculture industry. Authorities estimate the outbreak could cost the Thai economy 10 billion baht (around $293 million).

For months, the Thai government has encouraged locals to catch the fish, offering double the payment at 15 baht ($0.42) per kilogram. Crowds have responded, wading into shallow waters with basins to catch as many as they can. The government has also released the fish’s natural predators, including Asian seabass and long-whiskered catfish, to combat the growing population.

However, with females producing up to 500 offspring at a time, the battle is challenging. To curb their population, authorities plan to release genetically-modified tilapia by the end of the year, which will produce sterile offspring.

The root of the problem remains unclear. Some believe that a 2010 experiment by Charoen Pokphand Food (CPF), Thailand’s largest agribusiness, may have caused the spread. The company imported 2,000 tilapia from Ghana, but claims they all died and were properly buried. However, outbreaks were reported near a CPF laboratory two years later. CPF denies responsibility and has threatened legal action against those spreading misinformation.

Experts warn that the fight against this invasive species could be an uphill battle. Aquatic genetics expert Dr. Suwit Wuthisuthimethavee believes it may be impossible to fully eradicate the fish, given its rapid reproduction. Freshwater ecosystem expert Nonn Panitvong echoed this, saying, “Once alien species establish themselves, it’s incredibly hard to get rid of them.”

Despite these challenges, Thailand remains committed to controlling the blackchin tilapia outbreak and protecting its precious aquatic ecosystems.

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