Despite remaining positive growth, this year growth was lower than 23 percent of 2011. Fish exports to key markets, in particular EU and the U.S. (accounting for the proportion of nearly 50 percent of Vietnam pangasius exports) were not as positive as that of 2011. In Jan- Apr 2012, fish shipment to EU reached US$152 million, down 13.8 percent over that of Jan- Apr 2011 while in the period last year, fish exports was still up 2 percent compared to 2010. The decline this year was attributable to European economic turmoil.
European economies are being hurt by the worst debt crisis in many recent decades. Spain, Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Italy are going in to unprecedented deep recession and their economic outlook is not bright in the near future.
Importers in EU have been decreasing to import pangasius from Vietnam because regional banks are cautious about business loans. This situation is expected to last until the end of this year because the analysts of Citi Group Corp. forecast Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland will continue to be downgraded credit rating this year. Moody’s has slashed most of banks’ credit rating in euro area.
Spain is the largest pangasius importer in EU block. In months of 2011, fish exports to the country kept falling but in Jan – Apr 2012, fish exports to the country reported positive but modest growth.
At this time, fish shipment to Spain achieved US$33 million, up 6.3 percent over that of Jan – Apr 2011. The increase was attributable to its low inventories of imported pangasius while cod import from Russia in Spain and EU in general decreased as Russia stocked up the fish for domestic consumption.
In Jan - Apr 2012, pangasius exports to the U.S. touched US$113 million, up 41.8 percent from that of the same period of 2011 while in Jan – Apr 2011, fish exports rose by 98 percent over 2010. Fish delivery to Asian markets, South America remained positive growth but lower than that of the same period of 2011.
Despite advance in pangasius export value, fish sector still copes with a lot of bottlenecks such as credit tightening, enterprises lost control of input costs due to high inflation and fluctuated raw material source. If the situation is not improved, fish exports 2012 is only equal to that of 2011 and earnings from fish exports is narrowed significantly.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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