Last year, Vietnam's seafood exports reached 11 billion USD for the first time. Increasing exports has brought export turnover to mark a new milestone. The Mekong Delta region has contributed greatly to the overall seafood export turnover. However, at present, shrimp and pangasius exports in this region are more difficult than the same period last year.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in January, pangasius exports continued to decline sharply compared to the same period in 2021. In particular, the value of pangasius exports to the US market in January 2023 decreased by nearly 40% compared to December 2022.
Shrimp exports are forecast to prosper in March
Ca Mau is the leading locality in the country in terms of shrimp exports
Ca Mau is the leading locality in the country in terms of shrimp exports. In the last 3 years, Ca Mau's shrimp exports have always reached more than 1 billion USD. Particularly in 2022, exports reached nearly 1.1 billion USD. The beginning of the year is always the quietest time of the year for shrimp exporters in Ca Mau. The reason comes from the fact that foreign partners often actively import goods around September - November every year to prepare for the holidays, New Year's Eve as well as the first months of the year.
In fact, Ca Mau's shrimp export situation at the beginning of 2023 is more quiet compared to the same period of previous years. The local shrimp export turnover in January was just over $56 million, down more than 18% over the same period. Recently, the demand for goods in the world market in general is still slow due to the economic recession. Inflation in Ca Mau's big shrimp export markets such as the US and EU are quite high, affecting seafood exports. In particular, high-value products such as Ca Mau's shrimp are more affected.
Ca Mau's shrimp exports will still face difficulties until the end of February and start to recover from March. Shrimp exports are difficult because of high inventory and inflation in the world, which affected the European market the most. Raw shrimp is currently abundant, the supply of raw materials is very diverse. By the second quarter of 2023, the export situation will have some breakthrough.
The price of raw pangasius is on the rise
Since the beginning of the year, the opening of the Chinese market has created favorable conditions for Vietnam's pangasius exporters.
Information from VASEP also shows that, although pangasius exports in 2022 grew strongly, exports in the fourth quarter decreased compared to the same period in 2021 due to the influence of global inflation. Regardless of that trend, pangasius exports still have many prospects for the market this year, especially after the Chinese Zero Covid policy was removed. This move will create more favorable conditions for the export of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery products to this market, including pangasius, the most popular Vietnamese seafood in the Chinese market.
Although in the first month of 2023, pangasius exports decreased, many pangasius enterprises carrying out new export orders showed optimistic signals on the recovery of orders from markets. Mr. Do Lap Nghiep, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Deputy General Director of NAVICO, said that in the first months of the year, the company's pangasius exports still increased by 20%.
Since the beginning of the year, the opening of the Chinese market has created favorable conditions for Vietnam's pangasius exporters. The price of raw pangasius at the beginning of the year was 28,000 VND/kg, now it has increased to 30,000 - 31,000 VND/kg. Enterprises are focusing on preparing raw material to meet market requirements, expanding export markets and ensuring product quality.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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