After increasing by 44% in January and 62% in February, Vietnam seafood exports in March 2022 grew more slowly but sales were still significantly higher than in the first two months of the year.
By the end of March 2022, the total seafood export was estimated at 2.4 billion USD, up 40% compared to the same period last year.
The positive results are mainly due to the fact that pangasius export is still recovering strongly, increasing by 80% to reach 261 million USD in March with signs of rebounding demand in major markets such as the US, China, and the EU. By the end of March 2022, accumulated pangasius exports are estimated at 646 million USD, up 88% from the same period in 2021. Pangasius is regaining its position in the structure of export aquatic products, accounting for 27% of the seafood export value.
Shrimp still accounted for the highest proportion of export turnover in March, at 37%, equivalent to 345 million USD, which is up 21% from the same period last year. Total shrimp exports in the first quarter reached over $900 million, 37% higher than in the first quarter of 2021. The high demand for shrimp in the major markets along with an increase in the average export price are the factors that helped shrimp export turnover exceed the previous year.
The war in Ukraine directly affected the fishing industry because gasoline prices were so high that many fishermen let their ships lie ashore, or even sold their ships and gave up their jobs. The seafood processing industry, which is already facing difficulties in terms of raw materials, is in short supply. Therefore, marine product exports in March only kept a modest increase of less than 3% to reach 312 million USD, in which, exports of tuna and cephalopod still maintained a growth of 20%, but exports of other marine fish species decreased by 14%.
Total marine product exports in the first quarter were estimated at USD 878 million, up 20%, thanks to high growth in the first 2 months of the year, in which, tuna exports reached 234 million USD, up 55%; cephalopod exports increased 35% to 156 million USD. Exports of mollusk shells and crabs reached US$30 million and US$54 million, respectively, up 23% and 70% compared to the first quarter of 2021.
Vietnam seafood exports to major markets in March 2022 still maintained high growth. Exports to the US increased by 42%, to China by 77%, to the EU by 37%, to South Korea by 23%. However, exports to Japan are only proximate to those of March 2021.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine obstructed seafood exports to Russia and Ukraine. Exports to Russia decreased by 86% in March to only $2.7 million, and exports to Ukraine were halted in March. In the first two months of the year, seafood exports to Ukraine still reached $4.5 million.
Although Russia accounts for less than 2% of Vietnam's seafood exports and Ukraine accounted for 0.3%, meaning the decrease in revenue in these two markets is not significant, the consequences of the war on the seafood industry are not significant because the increase in gasoline prices affects both production and export.
Seafood exports in April will continue to be affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, but still have growth momentum in major markets such as the US and EU, where trade activities and trade promotion have returned to the new normal. Vietnamese seafood enterprises are participating in international seafood fairs to connect and expand their customer base.
Therefore, it is forecasted that seafood exports in April will still grow by 25% to reach 934 million USD. Accordingly, the export of marine fish may decrease by 15%, but the export of pangasius will still increase by 80% and shrimp will increase by 20%, tuna by 18%, squid and octopus by 25%.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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