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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(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.
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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