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) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(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.
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