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) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(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.
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