In general, compared to the same period in 2020, exports of all product groups increased, except for crab and other crustacean products, which decreased by 3%. Specifically, tuna exports increased by 15%, squid and octopus exports by 10%, and bivalve molluscs by 40%.
Exports of marine fish products all grew
The export value of marine fish products still accounts for a significant proportion: 76% of the total seafood exports, with tuna alone accounting for 22%. Compared to the same period in 2020, the export value of marine fish products increased. However, the growth rate has slowed. Specifically, the export of fish cakes and surimi reached $122 million, up 31%, accounting for 12% of the total seafood export value. Export of dried fish (except tuna) increased by 38%, reaching nearly 64%, accounting for 6% of total seafood exports.
Excluding tuna, the top 5 largest marine fish import markets of Vietnam include CPTPP (accounting for 43%), the US (accounting for 11%), China (for 10%), Korea (for 9%) and EU (for 3%). Over the same period, the export value of other marine fish products of Vietnam to these markets has mostly increased, with the CPTPP up 8%, the US by 40%, China by 17%, the Republic of Korea by 5% and the US by 40%, to EU raised 18%.
Mollusk exports to the EU increased sharply
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, the export value of Vietnam's mollusk products group continued to increase in April. Accumulated in the first 4 months of 2021, Vietnam's mollusk export value reached 204 million USD, accounting for 20% of total seafood exports, up 15% over the same period in 2020.
In which, cephalopods accounted for 16% and bivalve molluscs accounted for 4% of total seafood exports. Compared to the same period in 2020, exports of these two product lines increased by 10% and 40% respectively.
Particularly for the cephalopod group, the export value of cephalopod is at the same level. Compared to the same period, octopus exports tend to grow faster. Among the cephalopod product lines, only dried, grilled squid and fresh/frozen/ dried/salted octopus products increased year-on-year by 20% and 24%, respectively.
The top 4 import markets of Vietnam's cephalopods include Korea, CPTPP, Thailand and the EU. In April, exports to all four markets had growths. In particular, exports to the EU are growing at a triple-digit rate of 115%. Exports in April to all three largest single markets in the EU are also experiencing outstanding growth, with Italy increasing by 234%, Portugal by 721% and the Netherlands by 207%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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