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) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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