By the end of October 2023, shrimp accounted for 38% of seafood export turnover with a value of over 2.8 billion USD, down 24% over the same period last year. In October alone, shrimp exports reached 320 million USD, down 11% compared to October 2022.
Shrimp exports in the last months of 2023 and in 2024 depend largely on fluctuations in the US market. Shrimp import volume began to recover, however, shrimp import prices in the US were still much lower than the same period last year. Falling import prices not only affect Vietnam's exports, but the Indian shrimp industry also struggles.
The seafood industry has had a worldwide shrimp surplus for more than a year. In the US, EU and China, average import prices in 2023 fell by 13.4%, 10% and 2.7% respectively. It is forecasted that the consumption and import situation in the US will be better in November and December.
Pangasius exports in October reached 189 million USD, a slight increase of 5% over the same period in 2022. Accordingly, by the end of October, pangasius exports reached over 1.5 billion USD, down 28% over the same period last year. It seems that pangasius exports are showing more positive signs, after positive information about the US market. After the FSIS inspection program, Vietnamese pangasius was rated good for food safety. In addition, preliminary results for the 19th review (POR19) for Vietnamese frozen pangasius filets exported to the US from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 had much lower tax rates than the previous period. Although not the final result, this is good news for Vietnamese pangasius exporters to the US market.
The US market's demand for pangasius is also recovering. Currently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking to purchase 5.96 million pounds of frozen pangasius and catfish filets for use in domestic food distribution programs. This is the ministry's third largest catfish purchase in 2023, following the purchase of 6.2 million pounds of unbreaded catfish filets for a total of USD 41.8 million (EUR 38 million) in March.
China’s demand for pangasius has decreased significantly since the beginning of 2023, but sales of breaded pangasius filets are showing signs of improvement in this market...In the first 8 months of this year, China imported 11,900 tons of pangasius from Vietnam, down 41% over the same period last year. However, sales of fried Pangasius filets are still increasing, as this product appears more and more on restaurant menus in Northern China at prices of 5.47 - 6.83 USD/serving. This product also received positive feedback from Chinese consumers.
Tuna and crab exports in October tended to be more positive with double-digit growth, up 13% and 40% respectively over the same period, reaching 87 million USD and 28 million USD. By the end of October, tuna brought in 704 million USD, down 20%, and crab earned 164 million USD, down 12% than the same period last year.
Squid, octopus and shellfish products still maintained negative growth of 10-13% in October. Accumulated in the first 10 months of the year, squid and octopus exports recorded sales of over 540 million USD, down 14%, shellfish of over 109 million USD, down 10%. Exports of other marine fish except tuna reached about 1.6 billion USD, down 8%, in October alone reached 166 million USD, down 11%.
Consumption of tuna, squid, octopus and some high-class seafood continues to be affected by economic downturns, high inflation, and cautious consumer spending. In order for most consumers to still have access to popular and high-class seafood products, seafood processors and traders are tending to package products in smaller sizes, at prices suitable for all income classes. This trend is expected to stimulate better demand for seafood in the near future.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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