The complicated situation of the Covid-19 in the import markets affects the consumption of seafood in the restaurant and food service segments; The exploitation of domestic raw materials was also significantly affected.
Marine fish exports (under HS codes from 0301 to 0305 and 1604, excluding tuna and pangasius) in the first 9 months of 2020 reached US$1.2 billion, up 21% over the same period in 2019. Japan, ASEAN, China were the three largest import markets for Vietnamese marine fish.
Exports of fish cakes and surimi (including products made from tuna, pangasius) of Vietnam in the first 9 months of this year reached over US$228.7 million, down 6% compared to the same period in 2019. ASEAN, China and Japan were the three largest import markets for this item of Vietnam. Exports to China lifted by 25% while exports to ASEAN and Japan declined by 6% and 22% respectively.
Export of crabs and other crustaceans (HS codes 03 and 16) of Vietnam in the first 9 months of this year reached US$126.9 million, up nearly 26% over the same period in 2019. China, Japan and the US were the three largest import markets for crab and other crustaceans of Vietnam. Export of this item to China grew at the best rate of nearly 365%; Exports to Japan and the US sank by 5% and 26% respectively.
Export of bivalve mollusks in the first 9 months of this year elevated by 4% to nearly 71.5 million USD, this item tended to increase after declining continuously in the first 2 quarters of the year. The EU, Japan and the US were the three largest import markets for this item of Vietnam. Exports of this item to Japan surged the best at 14%, exports to the EU rose by 1% and exports to the US declined by 3% over the same period in 2019.
There are positive signs such as market demand inching up for canned, frozen, chilled and smoked seafood with longer shelf life. E-transactions, online retailing still compensate for the decline in market demand. The EVFTA Agreement has come into effect, also supporting other Vietnam's seafood exports in the last months of the year. Therefore, Vietnam's seafood exports in the last months of the year are expected to increase slightly, although still affected by the Covid-19 epidemic in major importers.
(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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached $3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth momentum is moderating and market divergece is becoming more pronounced, while the US 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 place greater emphasis on quality, product specifications, supply consistency and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports continued to grow in August 2026, bringing total export value in the first eight months of the year to US$1.5 billion, up 10% year-on-year. August exports alone reached US$205 million, up 6%. However, market performance has become increasingly divergent, with China and Brazil posting positive growth while the U.S. continued to record a sharp decline.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached US$1.14 billion in August 2026, up 6.4% year on year, bringing the total for the first eight months to more than US$8.0 billion, an increase of 11.9%. Monthly export value remained above US$1 billion, but August growth was only around half the rate recorded cumulatively through the first eight months. This indicates that the eight-month result was supported significantly by stronger performance in earlier months, while market conditions are entering a less predictable period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius is attracting growing interest from Japanese seafood companies as prices of many traditional whitefish species remain high and supply becomes increasingly volatile. Notably, seafood group Kyokuyo has recently continued to feature pangasius among its priority products, highlighting its competitive pricing and stable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As Vietnam’s tilapia industry searches for new growth opportunities, venturing into brackish-water aquaculture could unlock a formidable competitive moat. Bypassing the volume-and-price bloodbath against established global heavyweights, Vietnam could differentiate itself through high-quality tilapia products tailored to specific farming conditions and value-added market segments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2026 is rapidly shaping up to be a formidable stress test for Vietnamese pangasius exports to the United States. While exports to alternative markets maintain a resilient growth trajectory, the U.S market has declined significantly. In the first eight months of the year, pangasius exports to the U.S fell by nearly 14% year-on-year, with August alone recording a decline of more than 50%. The trend shows that difficulties in the U.S. market are not driven solely by weak consumer demand, but also by multiple layers of trade barriers that are intensifying simultaneously, particularly additional import tariffs, anti-dumping duties and growing protectionism for the domestic catfish industry.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan are showing positive signals in 2026, indicating that the market is opening up greater opportunities for pangasius products, particularly processed and value-added products. In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan reached US$31 million, up 20% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached approximately US$5 million, up 30%.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
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