There will be 30.500 fishing boats with capacity of 2.5 million CV for 1.2 million MT of total catches. Seafood exports are expected to reach 1.3 million MT, worth nearly US$7 billion. Frozen shrimp, pangasius and cephalopods still remain the key items, accounting for 70 – 80 percent of total seafood exports. Processed products to serve the domestic market reach 650,000 MT, 60 percent of which is value-added products. All processing facilities meet food safety requirements.
Mekong Delta also plans to develop two regional fishing hubs in Kien Giang and Can Tho.
To achieve the mentioned goals, Mekong Delta provinces are restructuring the fishery industry through diversifying production chains and developing cooperation models among stakeholders like fish farmers, processors, traders, investors and credit institutions. Communities and associations in the fishery sector need to get involved in the value chains.
So far, Mekong Delta provinces have taken appropriate measures to reorganize marine fishing activities to tighten fish ground protection and development of fish stocks. Additionally, the region is strengthening cooperation models like groups of fishing boats, fisheries cooperatives, links between fishing boats and intermediaries with an aim at an efficient offshore fishing, reducing fishing costs and bringing more profits to fishermen.
In aquaculture, provinces in Mekong Delta have completed irrigation systems to ensure water sources for farming and mitigate fish farms’ environmental impacts in some localities. Farming households are now the main production model, but the delta also gives priority to industrial farming activities for some key export items such as pangasius, whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp. Besides, production systems are reorganized to improve product value and create close links among raw material production, processing and trading.
Some coastal provinces restructure production value based on value chain and enhancing link between processing and trading players and raw material suppliers. In which, the top priorities are given to the production of value-added products and the development of important seafood brands. Mekong Delta provinces are also expanding farming activities in compliance with GlobalGAP and ASC standards; tightening quality inspections, quarantines of shrimp seeds and feed and vet drugs used in shrimp cultivation; as well as enhancing control of water sources in farming areas to mitigate pollution.
For processing and export activities, companies are in trend of developing their own farms or their tight links with local farmers to make sure stable raw material supply for processing. In the production field, it is important to focus investments on key fisheries hubs in Kien Giang and Can Tho.
In export field, Delta-based provinces should remain shares in traditional and large markets like the EU, the U.S., Japan, Eastern Europe, China, Middle East, North Africa, South Africa, as well as strive to sell seafood products to retailers and supermarket chains in foreign countries directly. Local processing and export companies need to reach ASC certification for their products.
Coastal provinces are encouraging local fishers and processors to reach MSC certification to show that their fishes were caught from sustainable fish grounds in a responsible and well managed way and in compliance with traceability requirements from the EU, the US and Japan.
(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.
(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.
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