Exports of all main product lines decreased deeply by 30-60% over the same period. In which, pangasius exports fell the most by 61%, shrimp fell by 55%, tuna fell by 43%, squid and octopus by 32%.
Exports to key markets all dropped sharply by 30-66%. In which, exports to the US decreased the most by 66%, China decreased by 54%, the EU decreased by 48%, Japan decreased by 32%, South Korea decreased by 29%.
Economic and political fluctuations, commodity and food inflation continue to affect consumer demand as well as business plans in markets, especially large markets of Vietnamese seafood such as the US, EU, Japan, China.
In 2023, global inflation is forecast to decrease, but it is still the biggest risk for importers and a burden for consumers, especially low-income households.
The return of the Chinese market will bring a great opportunity for Vietnamese exporters. But China's consumption and imports of goods can also cause drastic fluctuations in the world energy, financial and currency markets. It is possible that many banks in large countries will increase interest rates, affecting importers.
However, Vietnamese seafood exporters are always dynamic and flexible, they always know how to overcome difficult conditions from the market, as well as the supply of raw materials. In the modest export picture of the first month of 2023, there have been notable changes.
While exports to large markets fell sharply because of small orders, exports to small markets, niche markets recorded breakthroughs in sales. For example, exports to Israel increased by 17%, to Indonesia increased by 8%, to Cameroon by 15%, to Laos by 21%, to Chile by 7%.
Even within the EU, most of the member countries have reduced imports of Vietnamese seafood by 30-60%, but there is still an impressive market with an increase of 435% like Finland. Exports to Poland also decreased slightly by 1%, Cyprus decreased by 5%.
Export products have also been diversified and there are still many species that have been strongly imported by markets in the past month. While shrimp exports in general decreased, baby shrimp exports increased by 18%, scad exports increased by 81%, cobia increased by 44%, hoki fish increased by 147%, croaker fish increased by 493%, drifted fish increased by 167%, oysters increased by 11%, snails increased by 107%.
While exports to large markets fell sharply because of small orders, exports to small markets, niche markets recorded breakthroughs in sales
Inflation is a challenge but also an opportunity for many affordable seafood species for low-income consumers. It is important that businesses grasp the changes of markets to adapt and have appropriate strategies.
From the last quarter of 2022, many businesses faced difficulties because of reduced orders, or no orders. However, 700 units still participated in seafood exports in January. The leading shrimp and pangasius enterprises all experienced a decrease of 40-70% in export sales compared to the same period last year. Some enterprises still had positive growth in January such as Trung Son Long An Food Export JSC up 4%, TRUNG SON HUNG YEN FOODSTUFF CORPORATION down slightly by 3%, Viet Cuong Company up 51%, Mariso Vietnam up 21%.
In the first quarter of 2023, seafood exports may still be about 15-20% lower than the same period last year. After the international seafood fairs in March and April, along with the adaptation and boom of the Chinese market as well as the strategic adjustment of Vietnamese seafood enterprises, it is hoped that exports will gradually recover in the second quarter.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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