Market issues such as large inventory, low demand, and falling prices have strongly affected the shrimp and pangasius industries, especially in key markets such as the US and EU.
Therefore, pangasius exports fell the most in the first 6 months, followed by shrimp. The seafood industry continues to face a shortage of raw materials, high input costs, and most importantly, the IUU yellow card is making the procedures for certifying wild- caught seafood products to go to the EU market more difficult in 2023.
Seafood exports, including to the once-promising Chinese market, have sharply declined. Persistently sluggish post-Covid economies, ongoing wars, and inflation have cast a shadow on recovery, maintaining their hold on food consumption trends, including seafood.
In this difficult situation, many seafood enterprises have adjusted their product structures and strategies
In this difficult situation, many seafood enterprises have adjusted their product structures and strategies. Therefore, although many enterprises experienced a decrease in sales compared to the same period last year, there were still enterprises that achieved positive growth in export turnover in the first half of this year thanks to maintaining labor, utilizing capacity, focusing on value-added goods and processing for export. These enterprises will be the driving force to recover export sales for the industry in the second half of 2023.
Can Vietnam seafood exports reach the expected target of US$10 billion in 2023? By the end of July, seafood exports had only earned nearly US$5 billion. Can it break through in the last 5 months of the year?
To gain deeper insights into product structure and export markets, the business situation of seafood enterprises in recent years, assess the resilience of consumption markets, the competitiveness of Vietnam's seafood products in 2023, opportunities and challenges in the coming time; we extend an invitation to businesses and readers to register for the Q2/2022 Report on Vietnam's Seafood Exports.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
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