In the context of a volatile year such as war, inflation, currency devaluation, the concern of seafood enterprises will become even more serious if the IUU yellow card has not been removed or in the worst case , Vietnam receives the red card.
After 5 years of being warned of a yellow card, where is the EU in the picture of Vietnam's seafood exports?
According to Customs statistics, by the end of the third quarter of 2022, the EU27 market bloc accounted for 12% of Vietnam's seafood export value, ranking fourth after the US, Japan, China - Hong Kong. In the picture of export value of $ 8.5 billion with all green growth in the first 9 months of 2022, the EU market also contributed a bright color gamut with a value of $ 1 billion, up 40% compared to the same period in 2021.
By the end of the third quarter, with 272 million USD, exports of marine products accounted for only 26% of seafood export value to the EU market, up 29%. Meanwhile, aquaculture exports to this market accounted for 74% with 771 million USD, a sharp increase of 45%.
The impact of the IUU yellow card is more obvious this year, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict caused gasoline prices to skyrocket, fishermen in the coastal provinces could not push off. The caught raw materials are tightened even more and the EU market is even more deficient because of inadequate and difficult procedures for verification and certification.
Therefore, for caught seafood products, in the first 9 months of this year, the EU only accounted for 8% of the total export value. Compared to the main markets and groups of markets importing Vietnam's caught seafood, the EU market accounts for the lowest proportion.
By the end of the third quarter of this year, Vietnam's wild seafood exports have brought in over $3.4 billion, up 40% over the same period last year. In which, the leading market is Japan, accounting for 23% with 795 million USD, up 37% over the same period. The US market ranked second, accounting for over 19% with 655 million USD, 56% higher than the same period last year. China grew the most, more than 2 times with over 470 million USD and was the 3rd largest market. Korea also imported Vietnamese seafood more than the EU with nearly 380 million USD, up 20%.
Thus, although the value of seafood exports to the EU is still increasing, in both the seafood exports in general and marine products in particular, the EU's position is increasingly blurred and narrowed, mainly because of the influence of the IUU yellow card.
The main marine products exported to the EU market in the first 9 months of 2022 include tuna, squid, octopus, scallops, cod, and crabs. In general, the export value of these species is higher than in the same period last year.
The EU and many other markets such as the US and Japan are being hit by record inflation. Starting in the last months of the year, the prices of goods and living costs both increase, so consumers have to tighten their spending. Vietnam seafood exports to the EU market as well as some other major markets started to slow down from September and will continue to face more difficulties in the last months of the year. New import orders tend to be lower than every year, many orders are asked to delay delivery, creating obstacles for exporters.
Seafood exports in the last 3 months of the year will reach about 2.3 billion USD, bringing the whole year's result to about 10.7 - 10.8 billion USD, and the target of 10 billion USD is expected to be achieved by the end of November. In which, exports to the EU market is expected to reach about 1.3 billion USD in 2022.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
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(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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