While exports of agricultural products decreased by 18 per cent year on year to $1.17 billion, seafood saw a strong turnover rise of 14 per cent to $552 million and forestry produce reached $534 million, up 3.3 per cent.
Farm products which experienced the steepest reduction in both export quality and quantity included coffee, rubber, tea, pepper and cassava.
On the other hand, the export of rice hit 517,000 tonnes, earning $243 million, up 16.4 per cent in volume and 19.5 per cent in value.
China took the lead in importing rice from Viet Nam, accounting for 31.1 per cent of the country's total rice exports, while many traditional markets, including Malaysia and the Philippines, decreased in both volume and value.
During the month, exports of seafood products maintained its rising momentum with $552 million, surging 14 per cent against the same period last year.
Given the overall decline, the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry has guided involved sectors in boosting exports with the focus on heightening quality and added value, along with ensuring supplies for the domestic market.
Shrimp exports top 2013
The Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has said shrimp exports generated a turnover of more than US$3 billion at the end of last year.
That figure far exceeds the annual turnover target for shrimp exports in 2013. The jump in revenue was attributed to the rising global prices of shrimp.
The statistics from Viet Nam Customs showed that last year, Vietnamese shrimp exports were consumed in 88 markets worldwide and generated revenues of $3.1 billion, 39 per cent higher from 2012. The increased exports of shrimp not only compensated for the decline in the exports of other fishery products but also helped to improve the country's total fisheries exports.
Viet Nam's total fisheries exports exceeded the target of $6.5 billion, which represents a year-on-year increase of 9.7 per cent. Shrimp exports accounted for 46 per cent of the total fisheries exports.
The exports of white-leg shrimp generated a turnover of nearly $1.58 billion, which represents a year-on-year increase of 113 per cent. Meanwhile, prawns earned export revenue of $1.33 billion, up nearly 6.3 per cent against 2012. An increase in the global prices and high demand from shrimp importers helped to raise the productivity of white-leg shrimp farming, from 33.1 per cent in 2012 to 50.7 per cent in 2013.
Last year, Vietnamese shrimp exports went to mostly 10 key countries, including Japan, the United States (US), the European Union (EU), China and Taiwan. The US showed the highest increase in demand, an 82.5 per cent jump, to $831 million. Japan was placed second, with an import value of $708 million, while shrimp exports to the EU also saw an impressive recovery to more than $409 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn