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) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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