The tightening of controls by the United States
In recent weeks, companies in the fishing sector have been facing new constraints that increase the risks of exporting their products: they are subject to a greater number of quality control rules, traceability, and adaptability to international transportation fluctuations.
Regulatory authorities in the United States have tightened control over imported fishery resources and require new guarantees on the quality, traceability, and compliance with environmental standards of products. Exporters’ associations and producers of seafood products explain that many warnings are applied and that ships are held at the dock through a mechanism of detention without physical inspection.
Listing companies on the “import alerts” list means that cargoes can be held until companies provide evidence of the compliance of their products with Food and Drug Administration standards. This new measure therefore underpins an increase in storage costs, potential delivery delays, and a degraded commercial image.
Exporters are advised to review the production chain management process, check antibiotic residues in products, and comply with HACCP standards to ensure product traceability.
A logistics chain impacted by geopolitical context
The Vietnamese fishing market is also impacted by the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, a key market for the country’s exports. In fact, fishery exports to the Middle East have increased from $197.7 million in 2020 to over $401 million in 2025, mainly involving the export of pangasius (a popular fish in Hong Kong), shrimp, tuna, and mollusks.
Industry companies warn that the transport of refrigerated containers could increase by $2000 to $4000 per container, in addition to surcharges related to war risks and oil prices, which may increase logistics costs.
These obstacles could be real handicaps for pangasius exporters, for whom the Middle East is a crucial market. Tuna exporters are also affected due to the costs associated with their fishing. Nevertheless, the market hopes that the demand for canned tuna will increase and partially offset the increase in costs due to the geopolitical context, where many prioritize long-lasting food.
