In July, exports of all key products showed strong growth. Specifically, shrimp exports increased by 11%, which is also the highest growth rate in the first 7 months of the year. Shrimp exports to China and the EU increased by 24% and 32%, while exports to the US increased by 9%, to Japan increased by 4%, and South Korea decreased by 21%.
As of the end of July 2024, cumulative shrimp exports reached nearly $2 billion, up 7% compared to the same period last year. White-leg shrimp sales reached $1.45 billion, up 4%, while black tiger shrimp reached $246 million, down 10%. Lobster exports alone increased by nearly 3 times, reaching $145 million.
Pangasius exports showed more positive signs with a 23% increase in July. Exports to all major markets grew in double digits, from 20-40%, except for the EU market which grew slightly by 5%. The cumulative pangasius exports in the first 7 months of 2024 reached nearly $1.09 billion, up 7.7% compared to the same period last year. China remains the number one target market for Vietnamese pangasius, with a value of $317 million, down 2.3% compared to last year. This market mainly consumes pangasius of large size > 1.2 kg/pc in the form of either whole fish or fillet products. In addition, this is also a potential market for the by-product which is pangasius swim bladders. In the first 7 months of this year, the country's pangasius maw exports reached approximately $50 million, of which $40 million was exported to the Chinese market, accounting for 80%.
After continuously growing in double digits, from 16 to 32%, tuna export growths in July have slowed down, with only a 9% increase m-o-m. In the first 7 months of the year, the cumulative tuna exports reached $555 million, up 21% compared to the same period last year. The two main tuna export products are canned/pouched tuna and frozen tuna loin/fillet (also the raw material for canned tuna production).
In addition to tuna, other seafood products like cephalopods and other marine fish are also experiencing a shortage of raw materials for export. Exports of other marine fish species (excluding tuna) have also decreased by more than 4% in the first 7 months of this year. Meanwhile, cephalopod exports are only on par with the same period in 2023, reaching around $351 million.
The top 4 main markets showing clear signs of a demand recovery in July are: China & Hong Kong up 30%, the US up 14%, Japan up 11%, and the EU up 14%. Cumulatively in the first 7 months of the year, seafood exports to the US and China-Hong Kong both increased by 10% and accounted for an equivalent share, making up nearly 18% of Vietnam's total seafood exports, reaching over $930 million. Exports to the EU also increased by 10%, reaching over $600 million. Only exports to South Korea saw a slight 1% increase, reaching $426 million.
Looking at the frozen product segment, the US and EU will be the two expected markets in the second half of the year, given positive signs like economic recovery, declining inflation, and lower interest rates that could boost demand in these markets. Meanwhile, frozen exports to China have not yet seen a breakthrough, with relatively low prices. In contrast, China is the number one destination for Vietnam's fresh and live seafood products, serving the restaurant, hotel, and tourism segments. Therefore, Vietnam's fresh and live products such as lobster, crab, clam, and snail will continue to attract Chinese customers in the coming time.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(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.
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