Compared to April 2021, pangasius exports more than doubled with a turnover of USD 297 million. As a result, in the first four months of the year, the pangasius industry earned over USD 950 million, up 94%. The main driver still lies in the two markets of China and the US, accounting for 32% and 24.5% of the turnover respectively. Both markets recorded triple-digit growth in the first 4 months of this year: China grew 161% to USD 306 million, and the US grew 128% to more than $232 million.
Shrimp exports still maintained a high growth rate of 35% in April reaching USD 406 million, bringing shrimp turnover in the first 4 months of this year to 1.36 billion USD, up 41.5% over the same period in 2021.
Vietnamese shrimp and pangasius export value grew strongly thanks to high demand and good export prices. After 2 years of restraint because of the Covid epidemic, the demand in the markets recovered and boomed, while the supply in the markets was not enough, and price inflation increased. The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine makes the global seafood supply more unstable, especially white fish products. Vietnamese seafood enterprises have seized golden opportunities to increase exports and close contracts with much higher prices than in 2021.
In the US market, exports of shrimp, pangasius, and other key products all recorded high growth compared to the previous year, especially pangasius. US catfish production decreased, inflation was high, anti-dumping tax in the period POR17 benefited many pangasius enterprises, the number of pangasius enterprises allowed to export to the US increased, and the average export price of pangasius to the US peaked... Those are the 5 main factors that make pangasius exports to the US in the first 4 months of this year expand dramatically.
Total seafood exports to the US in April increased by about 79% to over USD 266 million. By the end of April, seafood exports to the US reached USD 842 million, up 74% over the same period in 2021.
The strong outbreak of Covid and China's zero Covid policy caused seafood exports to this market to encounter many bottlenecks when many import ports were closed and Covid testing on frozen goods became increasingly strict. However, because many factories in China were closed and production was delayed, there was also a shortage of seafood supply for domestic consumption and export processing in this market. Therefore, the increasing demand for seafood imports from China is attracting more Vietnamese enterprises to export here despite the above challenges.
Seafood exports to China in April more than doubled to USD 216 million. Seafood export to this market accumulated to the end of April 2022 is estimated at 578 million USD, up 94% over the same period last year. Pangasius alone accounts for 53% of seafood exports to this market.
Exports to the EU, Japan, South Korea, and many other markets all recorded double-digit growth in the first 4 months of the year. However, the US and China will continue to occupy the main weight, determining the growth rate of Vietnam's seafood exports in the coming months. It is forecasted that seafood exports in the second quarter will reach $2.8-3 billion, up about 36-38% over the same period in 2021.
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Compiled by Minh Trang
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
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