In March, Vietnam exported seafood to 130 markets, in which, the US market was still the pioneer in both turnover and export growth with 136 million USD, up by 36% compared to March 2020, accounting for nearly 20% of total seafood exports of Vietnam, followed by Japan with 125 million USD, accounting for 17.6%. Ranked third is the Chinese market with 103 million USD, up by 15% and accounting for 14%. Exports to South Korea also increased by 15% to 65 million USD, being the fourth market, accounting for 9%.
Demand for seafood in the retail and service segments both tends to increase in major markets such as the US and EU and China's removal of the congestion at import ports since March has had a positive impact to Vietnam's seafood export activities to these markets.
However, seafood export data in March as well as the first 3 months of 2021 shows that there are single markets, which are not in the top 5 seafood import markets of Vietnam, have impressive growths and are gradually asserting their indispensable position in Vietnam's seafood exports. Those are Thailand, UK, Russia, Australia, Canada, which account for 3-4% each of Vietnam's seafood exports.
Seafood exports from Vietnam to Thailand in March increased by 44%, to the UK increased by 20%, to Russia increased by 68%. Exports to 2 CPTPP countries, Australia and Canada, increased by 28% and 9%, respectively.
In the export turnover to Thailand, 30% of the value comes from processing activities of joint venture companies, processing marine fish products such as surimi, fish cakes and canned tuna ... the rest are products of Vietnam enterprises. Vietnam mainly exports to this market pangasius, frozen squid, dried squid ...
Increasing retail sales of seafood in the UK from the beginning of the year, especially with warm water shrimp, tuna and some marine fish are favorable factors for Vietnamese seafood enterprises. Russian import demand also tends to increase, the room for Vietnamese enterprises is being expanded. Recently, Russia announced more 9 seafood processing companies and factories to the list of exporters allowed to export seafood to this market, bringing the list to 44 units allowed to export to Russia.
By the end of the first quarter of 2021, Vietnam's seafood exports reached US $ 1.73 billion, an increase of nearly 7% over the same period last year. In particular, shrimp exports increased by 5% to 661 million USD, pangasius exports increased by 3% to 344 million USD, tuna reached 151 million USD, also up 3%, other marine fish increased by sharply 14% to 402 million USD, cephalopod sales increased by 8% to 116 million USD.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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