Seafood exports in March is estimated at about US$447 – US$450 million, down 17-18 percent against the same month in 2012 due to decreasing demand from importers and lack of raw material.
Domestic shrimp producers are facing shortage of raw shrimp caused by diseases and
Shrimp exports are estimated to reduce by 10 percent to US$160 million in March and by 7.9-8 percent to US$400 million in the first three months of the year.
Exports of pangasius saw a year-on-year decrease of 13 percent to US$140 million in March, driving down total pangasius export earnings in the first quarter to US$393 million, a fall of 7.6 percent from a year ago. Pangasius exporters are still confronting with difficulties in capital and importing markets. They also suffer from low average fish price and technical barriers imposed by main importing markets.
Tuna exports rose to US$145 million in first 3 months of 2013, up 12 percent compared to the same period of last year, but down 16 percent in March. Despite positive tuna catching in the first months of the year, processors still lack tuna eligible for export. Many fishermen tend to shift to catch tuna by pole and line (to cut down costs and raise productivity). This fishing method slashed tuna’s quality. The trend is likely to continue in coming months, resulting in decline in tuna production for exports.
Marine finfish sales decreased by 28 percent to over US$60 million in last month, resulting in a 9 percent drop in Jan – Mar. Cephalopod exports saw a sharp decrease of 34 percent and 22 percent in March and the first quarter, respectively. Cephalopod exports in QI reached over US$100 million.
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|
PRODUCTS |
Feb 2013 |
Mar 2013 (Est.) |
Compared to Mar 2012 (%) |
QI/2013 (Est.) |
Compared to QI/2012 (%) |
|
Shrimp (HS code 03 and 16) |
93.203 |
159.480 |
-10.6 |
401.743 |
-7.9 |
|
including: - Whiteleg shrimp |
35.836 |
60.072 |
+2.7 |
152.301 |
+4.1 |
|
- Blacktiger shrimp |
50.188 |
85.284 |
-13.1 |
211.983 |
-9.8 |
|
Pangasius (HS code 03 and 16) |
90.213 |
139.784 |
-13.2 |
393.264 |
-7.6 |
|
Tuna (HS code 03 and 16) |
50.627 |
46.724 |
-16.0 |
145.225 |
+12.0 |
|
including: - Tuna (HS code 16) |
13.840 |
19.238 |
+11.8 |
52.274 |
+38.3 |
|
- Tuna (HS code 03) |
36.787 |
27.486 |
-28.5 |
92.951 |
+1.1 |
|
Other finfish (HS code 0301 to 0305 and 1604, ex. tuna and pangasius) |
34.111 |
60.364 |
-28.2 |
166.232 |
-8.8 |
|
Mollusk (HS code 0307 and 16) |
19.391 |
35.432 |
-34.3 |
101.590 |
-22.0 |
|
including: - Octopus and squid |
14.719 |
29.072 |
-37.3 |
83.719 |
-26.1 |
|
- Bivalve mollusk |
4.672 |
6.156 |
-19.2 |
17.313 |
+2.7 |
|
Crab, swimming crab and other crustacean (HS code 03 and 16) |
3.983 |
4.904 |
-34.5 |
17.175 |
-16.0 |
|
TOTAL |
291.858 |
446.688 |
-17.4 |
1225.229 |
-7.5 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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