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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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