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
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(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.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
