1. Vietnam's seafood exports surpassed the pandemic to reach the target of 8.9 billion USD. In 2021, the Covid-19 epidemic broke out strongly in Ho Chi Minh City and 19 southern provinces in the third quarter, strict epidemic prevention regulations made most seafood processing factories only maintain 30-50% of production. Seafood exports in the third quarter of 2021 decreased by 24-27% compared to the same period in 2021
Seafood exports at the end of the year reached 8.9 billion USD, up 6% compared to 2020. In which, shrimp brought in nearly 3.9 billion USD, up 4%, pangasius accelerated sharply in the last 2 months. with full year results of over 1.6 billion USD, up 8.4%; Export of marine products reached US$3.4 billion, up 7%.
2. Seafood exports to the US market reached a record of US$2 billion, up 27% compared to 2020, accounting for 23% of Vietnam's total seafood exports.
In addition, exports to many markets had outstanding growth: the EU increased by 12% (in which, most of the member countries increased imports from Vietnam by 10-75%); Exports to Korea increased by 6%, while exports to some countries in the CPTPP such as Australia increased by 16%, Mexico increased by 49%.
Seafood exports to Russia increased by 21% thanks to the increase in the number of enterprises allowed to export to this market by 25 to 50 enterprises in the past year.
3. Seafood exports to China fell to the lowest level in 5 years.
China's zero Covid policy has strongly affected Vietnam's seafood exports to China. China's strict inspection to trace the corona virus on imported seafood products through sea, land and even air border gates, caused traffic jams and customs clearance of imported goods into this market for most of the year 2021. Therefore, seafood exports to China and Hong Kong decreased by 17% to 1.1 billion USD, the lowest level in 5 years.
4. The average price of seafood exports to major markets increased by 10-30% on average. In addition to the levers to promote seafood exports such as tax benefits from FTAs and strong demand in markets, the increase in export prices is a major factor in increasing seafood export turnover in 2021, especially are the last months of the year when orders increase and supply is low.
Accordingly, the average price of frozen pangasius fillets exported to the US market increased in the last 2 months of the year by more than 1 USD/kg compared to the same period last year. The average price of importing Vietnamese shrimp into the US market also increased from 11 USD at the end of 2020 to 12 - 13 USD/kg by the end of 2021.
5. Shipping charges to markets increased sharply by 4-10 times compared to before the epidemic, accompanied by difficulties in domestic transportation, goods in many localities were congested. In addition, input costs have increased sharply due to the Covid-19 epidemic: increased raw material prices, epidemic prevention and control costs, transportation costs, etc., leading to an increase in production costs and export prices.
To get more detailed information and data on Vietnam's seafood production and exports to markets in 2021 and forecast for 2022, please register: Report on Vietnam's Seafood Exports in 2021, to be released in February 2022.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
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