In the first four months of 2012, while many main agricultural products witnessed a continuous reduction in the export turnover, seafood exports remained a positive revenue of nearly US$1.8 billion, up 11 percent over the same period of 2011.
In April alone, the figure was US$470.1 million, up 0.9 percent. However, the above seafood export growth posted the weakest performance in the past three years due to a lot of troubles. The growth is positive in aspect of value but in aspect of profit, it is reducing.
In the wake of heaped up bottlenecks, seafood enterprises must face lack of capital and raw material, soaring input costs, the reduction in the number of importing markets. As a result, exports of two main items (shrimp and pangasius) has signs of reducing since April, in which shrimp exports fell by 6.5 percent to US$163.2 million, black tiger shrimp exports fell by 22 percent due to shrimp mortality caused by plague and low demand for high-grade products. Pangasius exports reached only US$143.6 million, down 0.9 percent over 2011. Fish shipment will continue to fall if enterprises and farmers are not supported by loans from banks.
Now, seafood exports are unfavorable due to economic recession and low demand of importers. EU remains a key importer of Vietnam seafood with the export proportion of 19.6 percent, lower than that of the same period of 2011 (nearly 25 percent).
Exports to EU will continue to decline due to persistent financial crisis. In Jan – Apr 2012, seafood exports to the block decreased almost 12 percent in which shrimp exports fell by 30 percent and pangasius fell by 14 percent. The growth in seafood exports to the U.S. was more positive but only equal to one third over that of the same period of 2011.
The sharp decline in exports to the key markets drove seafood enterprises to Asia, especially Japan. In April 2012, seafood exports to Japan was up 32 percent, higher than that of the same period of 2011(3 percent) and the export proportion also rose from 14 percent in Jan – Apr 2011 to nearly 18 percent in Jan – Apr 2012.
However, Japan is increasingly imposing technical barriers to Vietnam seafood. Since May 18th 2012, Japan has tested Ethoxyquin residue on 30 percent of Vietnam shrimp consignments imported to the market with maximum residue limits of 0.01 ppm. While in Japan, Ethoxyquin is allowed to use in shrimp feed with maximum residue limits of 150 ppm.
In Jan – Apr 2012, top 10 seafood exporters made up 21.5 percent of total seafood exports of the whole country, higher than that of Jan – Apr 2011 (19.3 percent). This is an opportunity for seafood export sector to restructure, remain a stable and sustainable development. However, in hard economic situation, competent agencies need to bring out measures to help enterprises recover and develop in the future.
From now to the end of this year, seafood exports is expected to keep a two digit growth. By enterprises’ efforts in reducing input cost to lower the products’ price, increasing competitive ability, remaining consumers, ensuring labours’ life and employment, seafood exports will recover and develop in the next year, many experts predicted.
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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.
(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.
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