Exports to South Korea, Thailand, and Japan decline, while China surges
According to Vietnam Customs, South Korea remained the largest importer of Vietnamese fish cake and surimi in Q1/2026, but export value to this market fell by 21% year-on-year. Exports to Thailand and Japan also declined by 8% and 6%, respectively. These are traditional markets with stable demand, but are currently affected by more cautious consumer spending, intensifying price competition, and tighter import cost controls.
On the other hand, China has emerged as the brightest spot in the first quarter. Exports to this market increased by 17% compared to the same period last year. Several other markets also recorded notable growth, including Taiwan (+92%), the United States (+62%), Lithuania (+28%), Malaysia (+27%), and France (+183%), although their overall volumes remain relatively modest.
Convenience food trends continue to support demand
By market group, ASEAN remained the largest importing region, reaching nearly USD 21 million in Q1, though down 7%. Meanwhile, exports to China & Hong Kong and the EU both increased. This indicates that Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are becoming more diversified, reducing reliance on a few traditional markets.
This trend reflects broader global consumption patterns. As consumers in many countries continue to tighten spending, processed seafood products that are convenient, affordable, and easy to store are gaining an advantage. Fish cake and surimi fit well with this trend, particularly in Asian markets, where demand for processed frozen foods remains relatively strong.
Cautious recovery expected
However, the outlook for this sector in 2026 is not entirely favorable. Price competition remains intense, especially in Northeast Asian markets. In addition, fluctuations in raw material costs, logistics, exchange rates, and rising protectionism in some importing markets are likely to affect the pace of order recovery.
In the short term, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are expected to continue recovering, albeit gradually. Markets such as China, the EU, Taiwan, and several niche destinations are projected to offer growth potential. Meanwhile, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan will remain important markets, but are unlikely to see strong growth unless consumer demand shows clearer signs of recovery.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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