Asian market – The key market
Asian markets continue to be the main growth driver of the industry’s growth. By the end of August 2025, South Korea and Thailand remained the largest single markets, with export values of $56 million and $53 million respectively. These markets not only consume directly but also serve as reprocessing hubs supplying neighboring regions, ensuring stable demand.
The CPTPP bloc also recorded an impressive 24% growth, reaching $37 million. Exports to the key importing markets are performing strongly. Notably, Japan remains one of the top importers with nearly $21 million, up 22% year-on-year. This reflects a strong recovery in demand for Vietnam’s traditional and high-quality processed products.
However, this group of markets also saw some minor fluctuations in the past month, as exports to South Korea saw an unexpected slight decline of just over 2% compared to the same period last year.
EU and China – Emerging growth
The most remarkable highlight in the export picture of the first 8 months is the strong surge in the EU and China markets.
Exports to the EU skyrocketed by 60%, reaching nearly $20 million. Economic recovery and easing inflation have boosted demand for mid-priced, convenient processed products. Leading this growth is Lithuania, with imports soaring by 69%. This impressive growth shows that Vietnamese enterprises have effectively leveraged the advantages of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Meanwhile, China and Hong Kong market also demonstrated tremendous potential with a 50% growth, reaching a value of $31 million. The increasing demand for consumption and reprocessing in this billion-population market is opening up significant opportunities for Vietnamese exporters.
In contrast, the U.S market remained sluggish, growing only 2% over 8 months with exports of just under $7 million, reflecting challenges from tariff policies and cautious sentiment among importers.
Outlook and challenges
Overall, the outlook for Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi industry in the final months of the year is highly positive. Global consumption trends are increasingly favoring convenient, affordable alternative protein products, which are strengths of surimi.
Asian markets are expected to remain the main growth driver due to stable demand and flexible pricing. At the same time, recovery in the EU is expected to persist, focusing on convenient products aligned with cost-saving consumption trends.
However, the industry also faces significant challenges. Price competition from regional rivals such as India, Thailand and China is intensifying. In addition, rising logistics and raw material costs, along with increasingly stringent import requirements, demand that Vietnamese enterprises continuously enhance quality and competitiveness to sustain long-term growth.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
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