In March 2025 alone, fishery output is estimated at 750.5 thousand tons, up 3.5% year-on-year. Fish accounted for 558.1 thousand tons (up 3.4%), shrimp 77.3 thousand tons (up 5.0%), and other products 115.1 thousand tons (up 2.7%).
Aquaculture continues to play a central role in the sector’s growth. In March, farmed fishery output was estimated at 421.4 thousand tons, up 5.3% year-on-year. This includes 306.4 thousand tons of fish (up 5.5%), 65.2 thousand tons of shrimp (up 5.7%), and 49.8 thousand tons of other species (up 3.3%).
For the first quarter as a whole, aquaculture production reached 1,113.6 thousand tons, marking a 5.1% increase over the same period last year. Several provinces posted impressive growth in aquaculture output: Khanh Hoa (up 13.4%), Phu Yen (12.4%), Bac Lieu (12.2%), Ninh Thuan (11.9%), Soc Trang (11.6%), Dong Thap (10.9%), and Long An (9.2%).
Notably, pangasius output increased as raw material prices rose and exports to major markets such as the U.S. and Europe expanded. In March alone, pangasius production was estimated at 155.8 thousand tons, up 4.5% year-on-year.
Whiteleg shrimp also saw a significant rise in output, reaching 42.8 thousand tons (up 6.8%), thanks to large-scale harvesting and the success of super-intensive farming models. Black tiger shrimp output reached 18.5 thousand tons, up 3.7%.
In the fishing sector, output in March 2025 was estimated at 329.1 thousand tons, up 1.2% year-on-year. This included 251.7 thousand tons of fish (up 1.0%), 12.1 thousand tons of shrimp (up 1.6%), and 65.3 thousand tons of other fishery products (up 2.2%). Marine capture accounted for the majority, with 314.8 thousand tons (up 1.4%).
Cumulatively for Q1/2025, capture fisheries output reached 879.8 thousand tons, a slight increase of 0.1% year-on-year. Fish output held steady at 673.6 thousand tons, shrimp rose slightly to 32.4 thousand tons (up 0.1%), and other products reached 173.8 thousand tons (up 0.8%).
Directions: Boosting domestic consumption and export
To meet growth targets, the fishery industry needs to further stimulate domestic consumption, particularly through modern distribution channels and e-commerce platforms. Trade promotion programs and supply-demand connection activities should be enhanced to expand the local market.
At the same time, exports remain a crucial pillar. The sector should take full advantage of signed trade agreements to expand its presence in major markets such as the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Removing trade barriers and supporting enterprises in meeting international standards will be key.
Additionally, facilitating access to finance, encouraging technological innovation, and improving the value-added of products are essential measures to increase competitiveness and drive export growth in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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
