The artemia and shrimp hatchery sectors are navigating a complex global market shift. IFFO has officially quantified a massive 49% drop in South American fishmeal production for the first half of 2026, tightening global aquafeed protein supplies. Meanwhile, robust shrimp export growth in Vietnam and massive aquaculture expansion plans in Indonesia signal sustained structural demand for artemia cysts as a critical hatchery input.
1. Global Fishmeal Supply: IFFO Quantifies Production Drop as Chinese Port Inventories Decline
IFFO's latest report confirms that, impacted by El Niño, Peru and Chile's fishmeal production fell 49% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, while fish oil output dropped 30% (BioBioChile; TrendConomy). Peru's anchovy catch volume decreased 20% year-on-year, and exports fell 19.7% (BioBioChile). IFFO Market Research Director Enrico Bachis noted that the South American supply gap could be partially offset by the Q4 peak fishing season in Asian producing regions, including China, India, and Oman (BioBioChile).
As of Week 38, fishmeal inventories at Chinese ports continued to decline, with new Peruvian arrivals accounting for less than 30% (JCI; FeedTrade). Regarding prices, the overseas CNF quote for Peruvian super steam fishmeal stands at USD 3,450/ton, while domestic port quotes for super fishmeal are at 12,600 RMB/ton, with the market overall remaining stable and in wait-and-see mode (FeedTrade; JCI).
Why it matters: From a market perspective, the tightening fishmeal supply and elevated prices will continue to push up aquafeed costs, placing margin pressure on shrimp farmers. However, as artemia cysts remain an irreplaceable critical first-feeding diet for shrimp post-larvae, this rigid demand could see increased attention under the logic of fishmeal substitution.
2. Southeast Asian Shrimp Trade: Vietnam Exports Surge but Face Q4 Headwinds
Vietnam customs data shows that shrimp exports in the first eight months of 2026 reached a cumulative USD 3.3 billion, a 12% year-on-year increase (VASEP). Exports to China exceeded USD 1.07 billion, surging 38.2% year-on-year, making China the largest growth engine. Whiteleg shrimp exports surpassed USD 2 billion (+7.6%), while black tiger shrimp reached nearly USD 318 million (+7.4%) (VASEP; The Times).
However, exports to the US fell 11.7% to USD 436 million, primarily due to the 12.5% Section 301 tariff imposed on Vietnamese goods by the US starting July 24 (VASEP).
Furthermore, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade disclosed at the 3rd Trade Remedies Forum that in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnamese goods faced 27 new trade remedy investigations, already exceeding the total for the entire year of 2025 (VietnamPlus). The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade called for a shift from passive response to proactive trade risk management, addressing new barriers such as US Section 301 tariffs and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (VietnamPlus).
Why it matters: This suggests that the continuous expansion of Vietnam's shrimp farming scale (evidenced by the 38.2% surge in exports to China) provides structural support for shrimp hatchery demand for artemia cysts. Since Vietnam faces tariff pressure in the US market, this could mean an accelerated pivot towards CPTPP markets like China. Artemia suppliers should monitor the procurement upside driven by Vietnam's export expansion to China.
3. Indonesia: Developing a Global-Scale Integrated Shrimp Farm and Proposing Aquaculture Cooperation
Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is preparing to build the country's largest Integrated Shrimp Farm (ISF) on East Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The project spans a total area of 2,085 hectares, including 448 hectares of production land. It is planned with 14 clusters comprising 1,792 ponds, supported by 224 reservoirs and 52 wastewater treatment facilities, and is expected to create approximately 2,671 jobs (Sakti Biru Indonesia). The region's waters are highly suitable for whiteleg shrimp farming, and the project aims to significantly boost Indonesia's shrimp production and consolidate its global export position (Sakti Biru Indonesia).
Citing FAO 2026 data at the Qingdao Global Ocean Development Forum, Indonesian Aquaculture Society Chairman Rokhmin Dahuri noted that global aquaculture production accounted for 53% of global aquatic animal output for the first time (Kontan). Indonesia's annual aquaculture potential reaches USD 210 billion, but actual production in 2025 was only 18.41 million tons, representing a development rate of just 18.4% (Kontan; Newss.id). Dahuri proposed expanding cooperation with China in smart aquaculture, offshore farming, seed industry, and digitalization (Sakti Biru Indonesia; Kontan).
Why it matters: From a market perspective, Indonesia's massive expansion of shrimp farms will directly increase the demand for shrimp post-larvae and artemia cysts. With an aquaculture development rate of only 18.4%, the long-term growth space is substantial. Furthermore, Indonesia's proposal to expand aquaculture cooperation with China could open new channels for artemia suppliers to enter the Indonesian market, making it a trend worth continuous tracking.
What We're Watching Next Week
- Progress of the southern Peru fishing season and whether Q4 Asian producers (China, India, Oman) can effectively offset the South American fishmeal shortfall.
- Vietnam's Q4 shrimp export trends, particularly US-bound shipments impacted by Section 301 tariffs and the final anti-dumping ruling expected in November.
- Construction start date and supporting procurement requirements for the East Sumba Island integrated shrimp farm in Indonesia.
- Week 39 changes in Chinese port fishmeal inventories and subsequent price trends.
Editorial note: This article is a sourced summary of third-party reporting. All figures, data, and statements are attributed to the original sources linked above and have not been independently audited by Muyi Artemia. Published on September 21, 2026.
Muyi Artemia has supplied artemia cysts to hatcheries since 2009, sourcing directly from salt lakes in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. If you'd like current pricing or a specification sheet for our Premium, Standard, or Decapsulated grades, get in touch.