Global Seafood Market Update: Key Developments in Early September 2026

The global seafood market has continued to see notable developments in shrimp prices, supply, international trade, and demand across major markets in early September 2026.

Ecuador has continued to adjust shrimp export prices to China, while shrimp prices in several producing countries have shown signs of greater stability. In the U.S., domestic shrimp supply has yet to gain a significant share of the market despite higher import tariffs, while traceability requirements continue to receive greater attention. In the salmon segment, Norway’s seafood exports reached a record high in August, with salmon remaining the main driver.

Global Shrimp Market: Stable Raw Material Prices as Ecuador Strengthens Its Position

Global shrimp prices show greater stability as Ecuador strengthens supply

Shrimp prices have been one of the most notable developments in the global seafood market in early September. According to Week 36 data, shrimp prices in several major producing countries have shown less volatility than in previous weeks, while China has recorded a more positive trend. In Thailand, the price of vannamei shrimp at a count of 70 shrimp per kilogram was around THB 140/kg.

This suggests that the shrimp market is becoming more balanced following recent fluctuations in prices and demand. However, there is not yet enough evidence to confirm that shrimp prices have entered a new upward cycle. Purchasing power in importing markets, inventory levels, and the ability of farming regions to adjust production will remain key factors shaping the market outlook.

Ecuador raises shrimp prices to China and expands processing capacity

Ecuador continued to raise its shrimp export offers to China on September 2, following positive signals at the Shanghai International Fisheries & Seafood Exhibition. The move indicates that Ecuadorian suppliers have become more confident about consumption demand in the world’s most populous market.

Given Ecuador’s large supply base, higher prices could create additional opportunities for other suppliers, including Vietnam, particularly in the larger-size shrimp segment. However, actual competitiveness will still depend on product quality, specifications, delivery times, and overall logistics costs.

Alongside higher selling prices, Ecuador continues to strengthen its processing capacity. Santa Priscila Group plans to invest approximately USD 70 million in a new facility, bringing the group’s total processing capacity to around 1,500 metric tons of whole shrimp per day, equivalent to more than 540,000 metric tons per year once completed. This move shows that global shrimp competition has moved beyond farming output alone, with greater emphasis on automation, value-added processing, and supply chain capabilities.

Mixed developments in Asian shrimp supply

In contrast to the expansion taking place in South America, shrimp supply in Asia is showing a more mixed picture:

Bangladesh: Disease outbreaks have affected around 250 of the 324 shrimp farms in the Batiaghata area of Khulna, causing estimated losses of more than 150 million taka. While this development is not large enough to alter the global supply balance, it highlights the continued presence of biosecurity risks in intensive farming areas
Malaysia: Farmed shrimp supply has begun to stabilize following localized shortages in the second quarter and is expected to show a clearer recovery in the third quarter

U.S. Market: Import Tariffs, Supply Constraints, and Traceability Standards

Import tariffs have yet to reshape the shrimp supply structure

In the U.S., shrimp harvested in the Gulf of Mexico has not recorded a significant increase in market share, despite the higher import tariffs imposed on many foreign sources.

According to views shared at the Global Shrimp Forum 2026, held in early September in Utrecht, the Netherlands, limited domestic production capacity, higher costs, product specifications, and seasonality are among the factors that allow imported shrimp to retain a position that is difficult to replace. This shows that changes in tariff policy do not necessarily mean domestic production can quickly fill market demand. U.S. importers continue to base purchasing decisions on cost, actual inventory levels, and reliable delivery schedules.

Traceability and supply chain transparency under FSMA 204

Alongside tariffs, the ability to trace and share supply chain data is becoming a mandatory technical requirement. The accelerated integration of data systems by technology platforms such as Wholechain and iFoodDS indicates that U.S. distributors are actively preparing infrastructure for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204) Food Traceability Rule.

This requirement sets a new standard: traceability is no longer limited to maintaining internal records and documentation. Data covering farms, processing facilities, refrigerated container (reefer) transportation, and distribution must be standardized, digitized, and capable of being exchanged seamlessly across supply chain links. For Vietnamese seafood exporters, this is a critical factor that should be integrated into supply chain operations for shipments to the U.S. market.

Chinese Market: Consumer Segmentation and Pressure from Domestic Fishing Seasons

China continues to reinforce its role as a major trading hub for multiple seafood categories. Following the Shanghai International Fisheries & Seafood Exhibition, the market has shown clear differentiation across segments:

Premium and convenience seafood: Ecuadorian shrimp prices have increased; imported salmon trading remains positive; and demand for convenient processed surimi products has recorded solid growth
Crustacean segment: Lobster demand continues to support firm prices, while king crab prices have seen a downward adjustment

On the other hand, China officially ended its summer fishing moratorium in the Yellow Sea–Bohai Sea area on September 1, bringing significant volumes of domestically caught seafood back into circulation. In Qingdao alone, more than 3,400 fishing vessels set out to sea, quickly bringing fresh hairtail, mackerel, and pomfret into distribution channels across northern and eastern China. This additional domestic supply is expected to create short-term competitive pressure on demand for imported frozen seafood in overlapping categories.

Norwegian Salmon Exports Hit a Record: The Role of Cold Chain Logistics

One of the most notable figures in early September comes from Norway. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway’s seafood exports reached NOK 16 billion in August 2026, up 14% year over year and marking the highest monthly level on record.

Salmon volume and value: Salmon exports reached 153,602 metric tons, worth NOK 12.3 billion, representing a 19% increase in value and a 7% increase in volume. Salmon was the main growth driver for the Nordic seafood industry.
Growth in key markets: Exports to China recorded a sharp increase to NOK 1.4 billion (+34%), while the U.S. market remained at NOK 1.13 billion (+4%).
Cold chain requirements: Notably, 78% of salmon volume was exported as whole fresh and frozen fish, while farmed seafood accounted for 4% of total export value.

The strong growth of Norwegian salmon demonstrates that global demand for premium seafood remains substantial. It also comes with stringent cold chain logistics requirements, from strict temperature control and fast transit times to close coordination between air and sea freight.

Vietnamese Seafood Businesses: Competing on Value and Supply Chain Performance

The developments above show that competition for Vietnamese seafood in international markets is becoming increasingly complex and multidimensional:

In the shrimp segment: Ecuador’s expanding scale and processing technology continue to put pressure on costs. Vietnamese businesses need to move further toward value-added products while meeting stringent quality control standards.
In the U.S. market: Tariff barriers, trade defense risks, and digital data requirements under FSMA 204 call for export processes with greater transparency and connectivity.
In the Chinese market: Market segmentation creates opportunities for high-quality niche products, but shipment timing needs to be carefully planned to avoid periods of peak domestic seafood harvesting.

Seafood competitiveness is no longer determined solely by the cost of raw materials at the farm gate. It increasingly depends on supply stability, finished-product quality, digital traceability, and the efficiency of end-to-end logistics operations.

Key Factors to Watch in September 2026

In the coming weeks, seafood businesses should closely monitor three key areas:

Prices and supply: Raw shrimp price trends in major exporting countries after Week 36, production recovery in Southeast Asia, and disease alerts in farming areas.
Trade policies and barriers: Developments in U.S. tariff reviews, sanitary requirements, and preparations for infrastructure supporting supply chain traceability data transmission.
Cold chain efficiency: Optimizing reefer transportation costs, maintaining stable temperature control throughout the journey, and ensuring delivery schedules meet year-end consumption demand.

Vantage Logistics continues to monitor and provide updates on market developments, trade policies, and international supply chains.

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