It is hoped that efforts to boost exports would be acknowledged as the goal of US$ 7 billion will be exceeded soon. High export prices and increased import orders forced this growth.
SHRIMP
Through August 2014, shrimp exports accounted 50.4% of total seafood export turnover, up 8.83% compared to the same period in 2013. The equal proportion (46%) of whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp in total shrimp export structure was replaced by the fact that whiteleg shrimp accounted for 58.6% and tiger shrimp dropped to 35%.
Due to EMS, major global shrimp suppliers such as Thailand and China slowly grew. Combined with high prices, this helped Vietnam, Ecuador, Indonesia and India become important suppliers. Seizing this opportunity, Vietnam actively maintains black tiger shrimp farming area, and increased area for whiteleg shrimp by 245.3% (as of the end of July 2014). Shrimp harvest increased sharply, black tiger shrimp production increased by 91% while whiteleg shrimp grew by 449.4% year on year.
Increasing demand in the US drove higher market price for shrimp from India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. In the first half of this year, the average price of shrimp imported into the United States increased by 35% year on year. Thus, the first 8 months of this year saw positive results of shrimp exports to the US.
Shrimp exports to the Japan found its growth thanks to frozen import by the country increased by 20%. By the end of August 2014, shrimp exports to Japan increased by 5.2%, to EU increased by 96.2%, to China increased by 32.4% and to South Korea also increased by 99.6%.
PANGASIUS
Through 8/2014, pangasius export value decreased by 1% year on year. Exports to EU and the US, the 2 largest export markets, dropped by 7.3% and 19.6% respectively.These markets, accounted for 45.6% of total export value in 2013, now make up for 39.7%. The decrease in 2 main export markets made pangasius exporters shift to smaller markets, ASEAN and Brazil. It is noticed that in the first 8 months of 2014, pangasius exporters tried their utmost to export to ASEAN and Brazil to compensate the deficiency in EU and the US. Export value was relatively stable but growth reported was negative 1%.
TUNA AND MARINE FISH
In the first 8 months of the 2014, tuna exports fell by 13.4% while other marine rose moderately. Fish exports increased by 18%; mollusks increased by 13%; crabs and other crustaceans increased by 20.8% compared to the same period last year. However, due to lack of raw material and competitions, all year growth rate would not be much higher than that of 2013.
IMPORTING RAW MATERIALS
Factories actively seeked for raw materials. In 2013, exporters were forced to increase raw material imports for their process. The total import turnover this year is expected to reach US$ 720 million, up 10%. Imports of fish (primarily salmon) accounted for 35.77%, followed by 32.8% from shrimp and tuna accounted for 22.2% of total import value. Last year, due to EMS, local processors boosted shrimp import from other countries, in which, India alone accounted for 66.3% of total shrimp import value.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
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