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.
Please subscribe to the Report on Vietnam's seafood exports to know information, quarterly seafood import and export data and forecast for export results in 2022.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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
