In April 2023, Vietnam seafood exports to the US fell the most by 53%, to the EU decreased by 40%, to China by 40%, to Korea by 30% and Japan by 15%. Only a few markets had good signals in April. In which, exports to the UK increased slightly by 1%, to Russia by 25%, to Israel by 21%, to Brazil by 5%, and Saudi Arabia by 67%.
The main export items were still in negative growth in April. Pangasius exports decreased deeply, reaching negative 52%. Shrimp exports decreased by 35%, tuna decreased by 38% and cephalopods decreased by 11%.
Pangasius exports decreased deeply, reaching negative 52%
Exports of other marine fish products are better, only decreasing slightly by 6.3% over the same period last year. Fresh/frozen fish fillets and fish cakes products all saw a decrease in sales, while dried fish and canned fish had higher export turnover compared to the same period last year.
Particularly in April 2023, exports of dried marine fishes increased by 65% to nearly 26 million USD. Accumulated in the first 4 months of 2023, this product has earned nearly 78 million USD, up 33% over the same period last year. The two most popular types of Vietnamese dried fish are anchovies and yellow snapper. In which, anchovies accounted for 66%, yellowfish accounted for 14%.
The top 5 markets for Vietnam's dried fish consumption are China (56%), Russia 17%, Malaysia 8%, Hong Kong 4% and South Korea 3%. In the first 4 months of 2023, only Malaysia reduced the demand for Vietnamese dried fish, the remaining increased imports, of which China increased by 72%, Hong Kong increased by 59%.
Besides, many other markets also increased imports of Vietnamese dried fish in the first 4 months of the year: specifically, Taiwan increased by 45%, Romania increased by 90%, Australia increased by 10%, and Lithuania increased by 61%.
The two most popular types of Vietnamese dried fish are anchovies and yellow snapper
The evolution of Vietnam's dried fish exports has shown that, in an inflationary environment, consumers have changed their habits. Fresh/raw products are gradually being replaced by dry and canned goods. Therefore, seafood suppliers now, in addition to the pressure to adjust prices to make them attractive, must also pay attention to increasing services for products to stimulate demand. For example, with fish products, many distributors around the world are focusing on providing fish that has been cut into pieces, pre-seasoned, ready-to-eat or pre-packaged with spices and processing instructions.
During this time, Vietnamese seafood enterprises have been very flexible in adjusting production and business plans, adjusting product structure and export markets in line with the development of 2023. Many businesses actively participate in International Seafood Fairs in the US, Spain and Japan in recent months. Typically, the Global Seafood Expo in Barcelona, Spain, which took place at the end of April, attracted 38 Vietnamese seafood companies to participate, double the number of 2022. Within the framework of the exhibition, The VASEP continues to organize promotional and propaganda activities, paying special attention to the two main products of Vietnam, which are shrimp and pangasius.
The Global Seafood Expo in Barcelona attracted 38 Vietnamese seafood companies to participate, double the number of 2022
In addition to trading activities, this year, VASEP has organized more demonstrations of dishes made from pangasius, shrimp, tuna, and other value-added products under the theme of “Healthy Convenience” with Vietnamese chefs who have lived and worked in Spain for many years.
The export situation in the coming time will depend largely on market demand and production stability of the domestic seafood industry. Therefore, the support and companionship of the Government and specific state agencies with appropriate and favorable mechanisms and policies will help farmers, fishermen and businesses feel secure to maintain production of raw materials to receive orders when the market demands increase again.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
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
