After the vaccination campaign and economic stimulus package since the beginning of the year, the seafood demand in the EU has recovered significantly, along with the tariff advantages from the EVFTA, which is an opportunity to promote the export of most of Vietnamese seafood products to this market.
Accordingly, shrimp exports increased by nearly 19% to reach 613 million USD, accounting for nearly 57% of seafood exports to this market. The top 3 markets in the bloc including the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all increased imports of Vietnamese shrimp in the past year. In which, exports to the Netherlands increased by 10%, to Germany by 25% and to Belgium by 19%. Not only whiteleg shrimp exports but also black tiger shrimp to these markets recovered compared to the previous year. Notably, whiteleg shrimp exports to Germany increased sharply by 28%, while black tiger shrimp exports to the Netherlands increased by 54%.
Tuna exports accounted for over 13%, reaching over US$144 million, up 6.4%, of which the US imported the most frozen loin/fillet (accounting for 44%), followed by processed tuna other than canned fish. Last year, exports of other processed tuna products increased sharply by 43%, while exports of fresh tuna decreased by 18%. In the three largest markets, Italy, Germany and Spain, only Italy increased tuna imports, the other two markets decreased imports of Vietnamese tuna in the past year.
Pangasius exports to the EU continued to decline from previous years, with a negative growth rate of nearly 17% and only accounting for less than 10% of total seafood exports to this market. Exports to the top 4 markets including the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Germany all decreased (20%, 23%, 9% and 43%). The sharp increase in sea freight rates to the EU is a big obstacle for pangasius enterprises that want to export to this market.
Notably, in the past year, shellfish exports to the EU market skyrocketed 37% to $87 million, mainly because clam exports increased by 42% to $78 million. Clams have become the fourth largest seafood species with export value to the EU market. In which, clam exports to the three largest markets, Spain, Italy and Portugal, all grew by 38-44%.
(Excerpt from the Report on Vietnam's seafood exports in 2021. For more information about Vietnamese seafood products exported to markets, please contact Email: nguyentrang@vasep.com.vn)
(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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