GENERAL INFORMATION

In Vietnam, the fishery sector plays an important role in the national economy, accounting for about 4-5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 9-10% of national export revenue.

More than 4 millions of people working in the fishery and the growth in production have attributed to the fish exports. Thanks to strongly increase in many years, Vietnam ranks among the top ten seafood suppliers and its seafood products are exported to 170 markets in the world.

Shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid and octopus are main seafood products exported by the country. In which, shrimp exports create about US$ 3.5 – 4 billion, make up 46-50% of the total seafood sales of Vietnam. Earnings from pangasius reached at US$ 1.7 – 1.8 billion (25% of the total) and exports from Tuna and Cephalopods are US$ 450 – 550 million for each.

Exports to the U.S, Japan, EU, China and South Korea make up 75% of Vietnam’s seafood sales to the wolrd.

5 advantages for Vietnam seafood exports:  

(1)  High commitment and participation from Government, Industry and companies for food safety, environment  and social responsibility;

(2)  Able to supply the big volume and safe quality and stable seafood products;

(3)  Meet all the customers’ requirements, incl. the vertical linkage (integration) for each species sector;

(4)  Vietnam is one in few countries in the world which has the good and stable labor resource; 

(5)  Vietnam has Agreements / FTAs with many countries and territories and has advantages both in product quality and im-ex tax.  

Export potentials

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a decline in April 2023, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU increased again in May, up 15% over the same period in 2022. However, this increase can not compensate for losses in the previous months. Therefore, Vietnam's tuna exports in the first 5 months of 2023 still decreased slightly by 4% compared to the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, as of June 15, 2023, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached 257 million USD, down 41% over the same period in 2022.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's cephalopod exports in the first 5 months of 2023 amounted to over 240 million USD, reflecting a 13% decline compared to the corresponding period last year. In May 2023 alone, the export value for this product reached 52 million USD, showing a decrease of 18% over the same period.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 5 months of 2023, Vietnam’s shrimp export turnover reached 1.2 billion USD, down 34% over the same period last year. In May alone, the export value reached 331 million USD, down 28%.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Looking at the seafood export value month by month from the beginning of the year, it’s clear that there is a gradual recovery, the next month is higher than the previous month. However, accumulated in the first 6 months, Vietnam's seafood export is still 27% lower than the same period last year, reaching nearly 4.2 billion USD.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the 2023 General Meeting of Members and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of VASEP held on June 12, 2023, Mr. Do Ngoc Tai - Vice Chairman of VASEP, Chairman of Shrimp Committee - Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood JSC gave a presentation on the situation of shrimp exports in the last 6 months of 2023.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's seafood exports to the US in the first 5 months of 2023 decreased by nearly half compared to the same period in 2022, reaching 563 million USD. All major products experienced a sharp decline of 30-60%. Exports of shrimp and pangasius fell the most, 42% and 62% lower than the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of April 2023, Vietnam's pangasius export turnover to the EU reached 60 million USD, down 8% over the same period in 2022, up 70% over the same period in 2021 and accounting for 11% of Vietnam's pangasius exports. In April 2023, pangasius exports to this market reached 15 million USD, down 21% compared to the previous month and down 18% compared to the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A deep drop in Vietnam seafood exports in the first quarter of 2023 caused many seafood enterprises to adjust their business targets for the year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Exports of Vietnamese tuna to China were not positive in 2022. The export value to this market reached nearly $8.5 million, down 11% compared to 2021. However, entering 2023, export to this market is very promising.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) To help Vietnamese shrimp brands make a mark on the international market is still a big goal for the whole industry. Vietnam's shrimp industry has many opportunities for growth, but also countless challenges. One of the big challenges is chain linkage, closing the entire production process to control the quality of output products. This is the key to improving the value of Vietnamese shrimp exports to demanding markets.

(seafood.vasep.com) Although negative growth is inevitable in the general decline trend of Vietnam's seafood exports, the export value of cephalopods recorded a slighter decrease compared to other key export seafood products.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The average price of Vietnamese pangasius exports to the Chinese market decreased by 10% over the same period last year, from $2.42/kg in 2022 to $2.19/kg. The two main product lines exported to China are frozen pangasius fillets and cuts (HS code 0304) accounting for 68% of the value with more than 91 million USD, down 32% over the same period last year and fresh pangasius/ frozen/dried whole, cut into pieces (except fish under code 0304) accounted for 32% with nearly 42 million USD, up 7% over the same period in 2022.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Statistics from China Customs show that the country's seafood import demand is recovering strongly after opening in early 2023. However, Vietnam's seafood exports to this market have not recovered yet. This can be explained by market factors as well as internal reasons.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, in the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam's pangasius exports to China and Hong Kong markets decreased by 22% to nearly 143 million USD. In which, pangasius exports to China reached 133 million USD, down 23% over the same period last year. Despite the decline, China still ranks first in the top markets for importing Vietnamese pangasius.


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