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 first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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