In the period from 2019 to 2022, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the Middle East ranged from 41.5 million USD to 49.8 million USD. Shrimp exports to this market block tend to grow continuously from 2020 to 2022. In 2023, the unstable world economy poses many challenges for seafood exports in general and shrimp in particular. Therefore, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the Middle East certainly face a decline, but the decline is somewhat lighter than in other markets. The largest single import markets of Vietnamese shrimp in the Middle East region are Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, etc. In the first 10 months of 2023, Vietnamese shrimp exports to some markets in the Middle East region recorded an increase compared to the same period last year, such as Saudi Arabia recording a 42-fold increase (reaching 7.6 million USD) and Iran recording an 8-fold increase (reaching 1.7 million USD), to Kuwait and Lebanon recorded double-digit growth; exports to Oman increased 16 times, and exports to Qatar increased 4 times.
The Middle East market area is considered potential because this area is not strong in fish farming and processing, so it depends heavily on food supply from imports. Natural conditions such as weather and soil are not favorable or suitable for agricultural production. To meet domestic demand, the Middle East must import up to 80% of food and foodstuffs, equivalent to 40 billion VND per year. Demand for seafood, including shrimp, is growing strongly, especially in markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, etc. The Middle East market area has high requirements for imported food products, such as requiring Halal certification. Suppliers are required to process and package appropriately to meet this standard. This is a potential market for Vietnamese seafood, where the purchasing power is on par with the ASEAN market, and the potential can increase three times if it’s focused on development. There needs to be more information channels about the needs and requirements of this market area, along with support from state programs on market promotion, so that businesses have more development channels and increase export space here.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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