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) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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