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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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