BUSAN — The market for Russian Alaska pollock roe has opened the season on a weaker note, with prices under pressure and volumes trailing last year’s pace.

According to industry sources, auctions that began in March in Busan have resulted in contracted volumes of about 12,600 tons as of early April, down from roughly 15,000 tons during the same period in 2025. The decline is attributed to delayed transport vessels and a sluggish production start in January–February.

Market sentiment has also been affected by currency dynamics, with a weak yen making Russian supply appear relatively expensive in key Asian markets.

Prices at auction have remained soft. The top-grade STD roe has been trading at around $5 per kilogram, while smaller sizes, including GAMCO and off-grade products, have been sold in the range of $4–$5 per kilogram.

Analysts note that despite lower volumes, cautious buying and ample uncertainty continue to weigh on price recovery prospects in the near term. Source: Minato-Yamaguchi

Scientists at Cherepovets State University have unveiled a breakthrough method to instantly identify stale fish without physical testing, achieving up to 90% accuracy. The innovation, described in the journal “Storage and Processing of Agricultural Raw Materials,” uses hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with a custom neural network to detect freshness.

Illustrative image

The system functions like a smart camera, analyzing subtle structural changes in fish tissue that are invisible to the human eye. This enables rapid, non-destructive inspection in food processing plants, distribution centers, and retail environments.

In trials, researchers examined chilled rainbow trout fillets stored at +2°C over 16 days, successfully tracking freshness decline without opening the packaging. Unlike traditional laboratory methods, the technology works in real time and preserves product integrity.

Separately, FSBI VGNKI, under Rosselkhoznadzor, announced plans to introduce new techniques for detecting counterfeit fish products by 2026, signaling broader advances in seafood quality control.

Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi industry opened 2026 with encouraging growth, signaling a recovery in global demand. In the first two months, export value exceeded 45 million USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

Data from Vietnam Customs highlights South Korea as the leading importer, with 12 million USD, representing 26% of total exports. Thailand follows with over 10 million USD (23.1% share), while China ranks third at 6 million USD, accounting for 14%.

Notably, China has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with imports surging 37% year-on-year, reflecting expanding demand within the region.

In a first for the seafood industry, Mowi is marketing a special pack of fresh salmon to help raise funds for the Comic Relief charity initiative.

Whilst retailer Sainsbury’s has supported Comic Relief for over 27 years, with their focus now on working together to tackle food poverty, MOWI salmon is the first fresh fish brand to release a special edition Comic Relief pack.

Comic Relief’s “Red Nose Day” is one of the UK’s biggest charity fundraising events, aimed at raising money to support charitable projects both in the UK and internationally. The funds collected are used to tackle issues such as poverty, social injustice, and mental health, making a significant impact in communities across the globe.

Source: Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

Onda and Innovafeed announce promising results from trials using insect-based ingredients in salmon nutrition.

Preliminary research demonstrates antibacterial potential and strong growth performance in Atlantic salmon

Innovafeed, a global leader in insect-based ingredients (Black Soldier Fly – Hermetia illucens), and Onda, the world’s largest independent aquatic contract research organisation, today announced promising results from two collaborative trials evaluating the performance and functional benefits of insect-based ingredients in aquaculture nutrition.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Indonesia is accelerating efforts to expand its share in the global seafood market, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth amid rising international demand. Leveraging its vast marine resources, the country is intensifying export strategies and strengthening trade partnerships.

According to Antara, a total of 57 Indonesian companies have secured export licenses to China and Türkiye. The latter is emerging as a promising destination, especially as it prepares to implement the TROIS quality control system, requiring importer registration. Exports to Türkiye are projected to reach 2,600 tons by 2025, focusing on tuna, sardines, and processed seaweed.

Meanwhile, China remains Indonesia’s largest seafood market, with exports expected to surpass 491,500 tons, valued at approximately $1.04 billion by 2025. Indonesian exporters now offer over 1,000 product varieties, ranging from frozen squid to seaweed-based goods.

Despite strong growth, Indonesia faces increasing competition due to shifting global supply chains and geopolitical pressures. To sustain momentum, the country is prioritizing policy reforms, reducing trade barriers, and improving quality standards to maintain its competitive edge in the long term. 

A recent study published in Food Research International highlights how ambient temperature in aquaculture regions significantly impacts the quality of surimi made from silver carp.

Researchers found that fish raised in warm regions such as Zhanjiang and Nanning exhibit higher myosin thermal stability than those from colder areas like Wuhan and Jinzhou. This directly affects optimal grinding time, a critical step for protein denaturation and gel formation. Surimi from cold regions reaches peak quality within 6–9 minutes, while raw material from warm regions requires 12–15 minutes.

However, the study warns that excessive grinding can damage protein structure, causing aggregation, a shift from α-helix to β-sheet, and weaker gel networks. Hydrophobic interactions were identified as the primary force behind gel formation.

Significant regional differences were also observed in protein composition: Nanning samples showed the highest total protein content, while Zhanjiang samples led in salt-soluble proteins, essential for gel strength.

The researchers recommend that processors adjust grinding times based on raw material origin, rather than using fixed methods, to improve gel strength, water retention, and overall production efficiency.

Vietnamese tilapia exports to the US are poised for strong growth in 2025, creating both major opportunities and notable challenges.

The United States remains the largest buyer of Vietnam’s tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching $40 million, a remarkable 499% increase compared to 2024. This surge reflects robust demand, partly driven by supply constraints in competing countries like China, where tariffs and rising production costs have limited output.

The upward trend extended into early 2026. In February 2026, exports totaled $852,000, accounting for 10% of total tilapia export value. Over the first two months, shipments reached approximately $4 million, marking a 31% year-on-year increase.

Despite slight signs of slowing in February, analysts attribute this to seasonal factors. Importers had already boosted inventories in Q4 2025 to meet year-end demand, temporarily reducing new orders. Overall, the outlook for Vietnamese tilapia in the US market remains highly promising.