Continuing the recovery momentum from the last 2 months of the year, seafood enterprises have promoted the export of many strong aquatic species.
Accordingly, whiteleg shrimp exports increased by 39%, and black tiger shrimp exports increased by 92%. Total shrimp exports brought in $313 million, up 43%. Pangasius exports increased by 78%, bringing in nearly 214 million USD, tuna increased by 108% with a turnover of 88 million USD. Squid increased by 57% and octopus increased by 31%, the total turnover of these two species increased by 45% to 63 million USD...
Aquatic production and processing have almost returned to normal as before the peak of the epidemic. The demand of the markets is very high, businesses receive many orders. The price of domestic raw materials also increased, so both farmers, fishermen and businesses are optimistic about a bountiful year, all are excited to actively produce.
In January, enterprises exported seafood to 117 markets. Exports to all major markets increased by leaps and bounds. The top 6 markets with a proportion of 4-23% of Vietnam's seafood export value include: the US, Japan, Korea, China, Australia and Canada. These markets increased from 17 to 84% of seafood imports from Vietnam in the first month of 2022.
With nearly 200 million dollars, the US still holds the dominant share of 23%. The US sharply increased imports of seafood products from Vietnam: shrimp increased by 61%, pangasius increased by 92%, tuna increased more than 3 times, other fish species increased by nearly 30%...
After a slight decrease in 2021, exports to Japan in January this year recovered by 21% to $134 million. In which, 40% is shrimp products with 54 million USD, up 23%. Japan also sharply increased imports of squid and octopus from Vietnam with a growth rate of 55%.
Japan is the number 1 market for Vietnam's exported marine fish products. In the past month, this market has imported 57 million USD of marine fish from Vietnam, up 14%. In which, Vietnamese enterprises mainly export salmon - which is a raw material product imported for processing and exporting to this market.
Although shrimp exports to China still fell by 16%, exports of pangasius, squid, and octopus have returned strongly with a figure that has more than tripled compared to the same period last year. As a result, seafood exports to China recovered 64% with $62 million.
With $69 million in imports from Vietnam, the Korean market still accounts for a higher proportion than China. In which, exports of two main products, shrimp and octopus, increased by 33% and 18% respectively.
The Australian and Canadian markets both increased strongly in importing Vietnamese seafood, up 29% and 85% respectively, of which increased in all main products.
Seafood exports to the EU increased by 70% to 108 million USD. In which, the major markets in the bloc increased very strongly importing seafood from Vietnam: Germany increased by 28%, Belgium increased by 85%, France increased by 131%... The good news is that pangasius exports to this market group broke out strongly, increasing by 70%, shrimp by 79%, tuna by 81%, cephalopod by 90%...
With many orders, hopefully seafood enterprises will gradually solve the problem of lack of labor and raw materials to take advantage of opportunities this year. With that optimism, we believe that exports in February and the coming months will continue to record positive results. Accordingly, seafood exports in the first quarter of this year may bring in about 2 billion USD, up about 15% over the same period last year.
Please subscribe to VASEP's Quarterly Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports to get more detailed monthly and quarterly assessments and statistical data on Vietnam's seafood exports to markets, raw material price movements. , export prices, export enterprises and comparison with other countries such as India, Ecuador, Thailand, Indonesia...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
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