According to a report by the General Statistics Office, the estimated aquaculture output in January reached 329,200 tons, a 5.1% increase year-on-year. In detail, fish production reached 241,100 tons, up 5.5%; and shrimp output was 46,800 tons, up 4.9%.
Notably, pangasius production in January was estimated at 102,500 tons, a 6.0% increase compared to the same period last year due to rising pangasius materials prices in the Mekong Delta. This has encouraged farmers to expand their farming activities while enabling processing enterprises to ramp up procurement to meet export demand early in the year.
Several key pangasius farming localities witnessed significant production increases compared to the same period last year, such as Can Tho (up 10.6%), Long An (up 10.0%), Dong Thap (up 9.0%), and An Giang (up 6.9%).
Harvested farmed shrimp output increased year-on-year to serve consumer demand during the Lunar New Year holiday and for export purposes. Specifically, whiteleg shrimp production was estimated at 26,500 tons, up 6.4% year-on-year; and black tiger shrimp output reached 15,300 tons, up 2.7%.
In contrast, the capture fisheries sector saw a decline in output. January's seafood capture output was estimated at 264,900 tons, down 4.3% compared to the same period last year. This included 202,300 tons of fish (down 4.4%), 9,500 tons of shrimp (down 5.0%), and 53,100 tons of other seafood (down 5.8%).
The decline in capture fisheries output can be attributed to the Lunar New Year holiday, which resulted in shorter fishing trips for fishermen compared to the same period last year. Additionally, some vessels temporarily suspended operations for maintenance and to prepare for new fishing plans in the new year.
Specifically, marine capture output was estimated at 246,700 tons, down 4.4%. This comprised 189,400 tons of fish (down 4.5%), 8,100 tons of shrimp (down 4.7%), and 49,200 tons of other seafood (down 5.9%).
(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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