The China Fisheries & Seafood Expo has surpassed the North America Seafood Expo to become the second-largest professional seafood trade fair in the world, after the Global Seafood Expo in Barcelona, Spain. In 2024, the fair attracted 1,602 exhibitors (down 4.6% compared to 2023) from 51 countries (compared to 53 countries in 2023). Over three days, the event welcomed 42,000 professional visitors from 136 countries (up from 40,127 visitors from 120 countries in 2023).
The Expo serves as a global platform for seafood exporters to connect, showcase products, and strengthen their brands to both Chinese and international buyers, thereby expanding their presence in the Chinese market.
China is among Vietnam’s top seafood export markets. In 2024, Vietnam’s total seafood export value made an impressive recovery, reaching USD 10 billion. Particularly, China (including Hong Kong) surpassed the United States to become Vietnam’s largest seafood import market, with exports worth USD 1.9 billion, accounting for nearly 19% of the country’s total seafood export value. Many products recorded strong growth, such as shrimp exports, which reached USD 843 million, up 39% year-on-year.
China’s seafood consumption demand remains high and continues to grow thanks to its large population, rapid urbanization, and increasing preference for high-quality products. However, the market also poses challenges due to frequent changes in import regulations. Therefore, regularly updating export requirements, studying consumer segments, and improving product design, packaging, and labeling are essential.
Participation in the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo is an effective opportunity for Vietnamese exporters to update market information, meet potential buyers, and promote products. For this year’s Expo, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) registered 144 m² for the Vietnam Pavilion under the National Trade Promotion Program, offering a platform for enterprises to display and promote their products. The pavilion area was reduced by 20% compared to 2024 due to global market uncertainties caused by U.S. tariffs, which have affected the overall sentiment in the seafood industry.
A total of 15 Vietnamese exporters joined VASEP at the Vietnam Pavilion, including 7 pangasius exporters, 2 tuna exporters, 2 shrimp companies, and 4 processors/exporters of other seafood products.
After being suspended in 2019, Vietnam’s participation in the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo was re-approved under the National Trade Promotion Program for 2024–2025, marking strong government support for the seafood industry amid difficulties in several traditional export markets since 2023.
Thanks to the state budget support, this year the Vietnam Pavilion secured a prime location—Booth B7-0707, along the main aisle—among other national pavilions from major seafood suppliers such as Ireland, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, South Korea, and Russia.
VASEP used the slogan “Vietnam – a sustainable destination for seafood”, affirming the industry’s commitment to sustainable production, processing, and export in line with both domestic and international market requirements, amid the global trend toward a green and responsible economy.
The exhibition was honored to welcome Mr. Nong Duc Lai, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Beijing, who shared valuable market insights and exchanged information with the VASEP business delegation.
Some photos from the exhibition:
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, commercial clam prices in Ha Tinh province surged sharply, nearly doubling compared to normal levels and standing about 20–30% higher than the same period last year. The spike has encouraged many aquaculture households to accelerate harvesting and sell large volumes to the market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the very first month of the year signals a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly in Asian markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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