The aggregate value came to JPY 1.5669 trillion (€11.4 billion/$15.5 billion), an increase of 5.1 percent.
The total sum of exports amounted to 551,986 metric tons in 2013, up 25.4 percent. Value was up 30.3 percent year-on-year to JPY 221.6 billion (€1.6 billion/$2.2 billion).
At the beginning of the year, aweaker yen fueled at the beginning of the year fueled exports. Quantity-wise, the year marked the third largest in the past 20 years, following 2007 (610,000 metric tons) and 2006 (590,000 metric tons). In terms of value, 2013 was rankedsecond behind 2007 (JPY 238.2 billion/€1.7 billion/$2.4 billion).
Lower seafood imports
When compared to the past 20 years to 1993, seafood imports tended to display a downward trajectory after hitting the peak time in 2001 and 2002 (both 382,000 metric tons).
From 2009 the level of 260,000-270,000 metric tons was maintained against a backdrop of a stronger yen; however, a weak yen that started early last year significantly impacted the imports,resulting in less than 250,000 metric tons.
The year of 1989 (229,000 metric tons) was the lasttime when the annual import amount hit less than a 250,000-ton level.
The following commodities exhibited noticeable declines: yellow-fin tuna (down 21.4 percent year-on-year), bonito (down 26 percent), cod roe (down 23.9 percent), crab (down 31 percent), and fishmeal (down 22.7 percent).
On the other hand, those that increased were cod/common hake (up 26.9 percent), mackerel (up 14.8 percent), Pacific oceanperch (up 35.2 percent), albacore (up 50.5 percent), bluefin tuna (up 39.3 percent), squid (up 24.1 percent), and octopus (up 24.1 percent).
Salmon/trout and shrimp declined 7.6 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, managing the drop well within the 10 percent range.
Nonetheless, their average values hiked 15.2 percent and 32.2 percent, respectively.
Imports propelled by the weak yen recorded steady shipments of major items. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and inthe following year 2012, the level of 400,000 metric tons and roughly JPY 170 billion (€1.2 billion/$1.7 billion) was registered. Both quantityand value reverted to the pre-disaster years last year.
Items that were exported more than others were scallop (up 119.3 percent), salmon/trout (up 52.6 percent), bonito (up 34 percent), cod (up 34.8 percent), and saury (up 39 percent). The primary commodities showed increases in quantity and value all across the board; however, squid were slashed in half (down 52.8 percent).
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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