In which, shrimp continued to grow positively by 10% to 980 million USD. Seafood exports in the second quarter were estimated at US $ 816 million, up 9.6%, of which tuna exports increased by 9%, other fish increased by 11%, octopus squid increased by 8% and molluscum by 9%.
Market movements in the Covid context
The progress of exporting shrimp and pangasius will depend mainly on market fluctuations. For shrimp, there will be better signals because the demand for shrimp in the retail segment in major markets such as the US and the EU continues to increase. The large-scale deployment of vaccination in these markets helps people gradually feel secure, returning to tourism, entertainment and public activities, so the demand will recover in the restaurant, hotel and service sector.
The US market will continue to be a bright spot for Vietnamese seafood, with higher demand foreseen for both shrimp, pangasius, tuna and other seafood. Especially for shrimp, Vietnam will have more opportunities in the US when India, the largest supplier in this market, is facing production difficulties due to the Covid epidemic.
With the EU market, Vietnamese businesses hope more with shrimp, mainly white shrimp, because compared to the US, the EU countries still recover more slowly. Moreover, the nature of the EU market in recent years has not seen much breakthrough in shrimp demand. Therefore, in the second quarter and the following months, shrimp exports to the EU are forecasted to recover only slightly, mainly in markets in Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy.
The picture of pangasius exports in the near future depends mainly on the US and China markets, because from a negative 30% growth in the first quarter, exports to the EU cannot rise in the second quarter, when the signals of recovery in food service industry demand are not clear. The US is increasing imports of pangasius from Vietnam and this trend will continue in the coming months. The large enterprises exporting pangasius to the US are stable and do not have any problems with the market, so they will continue to promote their exports to the market.
For Japan, the weakening economy, now covered by the new Covid wave, will be more gloomy, reducing consumer demand. Japan's demand for seafood imports for domestic consumption for both retail channels, services, restaurants, and hotels will certainly not increase in the coming time or even decrease. Japan will increase trade in seafood with Vietnamese companies in the form of outsourcing and processing because Vietnam has stable human resources and better control of Covid compared to countries with processing industries.
The Chinese market tightens the measures to control coronavirus from the last months of 2020 to now, affecting the activities of the importers, processing and exporting of this country and of course, reducing seafood imports from countries including Vietnam. Maybe with the intention of both controlling the epidemic and enticing Chinese exporters back to serve the domestic market, China will continue to tightly control food imports including frozen seafood, especially when Covid is currently booming in Asian countries. Therefore, it is difficult for Vietnam's seafood export to China to strongly recover in the coming time. However, this will be an opportunity for Vietnam to increase exports to other major markets, gaining market share from China.
The Korean market is also showing good signs of recovery, the economy is growing positively, so seafood trade with Korean businesses will be more active in the coming time. It is forecasted that octopus and surimi exports to this market will continue to increase and Korea will maintain the No. 1 position for both these product lines of Vietnam.
Other markets such as Australia, Canada, UK, and Russia will continue to be new bright spots in the picture of seafood exports of Vietnam in the second quarter and the second half of the year because demand is increasing and there are no uncertainties or market barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the very first month of the year signals a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) From the very beginning of 2026, India’s shrimp industry has received a series of favorable trade signals: U.S. reciprocal tariffs have been reduced, while the successful conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU has opened prospects for eliminating nearly all seafood tariffs in the coming years. This shift not only enables Indian shrimp to quickly offset declines in the U.S. market, but also reshapes the global competitive landscape, placing greater pressure on Vietnamese shrimp exporters in terms of price, market share, and strategic positioning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is recording many positive signals, both in terms of raw fish prices and export prospects. Export turnover this year is projected to reach approximately USD 2.3 billion. Amid ongoing volatility in the global market, diversifying export destinations, reducing dependence on major markets, and effectively leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) are considered key to maintaining sustainable growth and creating new momentum for the pangasius sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With forecasts indicating that weather conditions in 2026 may become more complex—featuring prolonged heatwaves, unseasonal rains, and increased salinity intrusion—the agricultural sector of Can Tho City advises brackish water shrimp farmers to strictly follow the seasonal farming calendar and strengthen pond environmental management to minimize risks and improve production efficiency.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On February 4, a working delegation led by the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology) met with the Management Board of Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to comprehensively review the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), assess signal connectivity, and evaluate the effectiveness of information technology applications in fisheries management across the city.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for China’s lobster market, with total imports reaching a record high and the supply structure undergoing major changes. Amid this surge, Vietnam’s lobster exports—especially green lobster—accelerated dramatically, reaching new highs and contributing substantially to Vietnam’s overall record shrimp export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a range of synchronized solutions, from institutional improvements and strengthened communication to strict fleet control, Quang Ninh is stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in soon having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 closed with a remarkable milestone for Vietnam’s shrimp industry. According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s total shrimp export turnover in 2025 reached USD 4.6 billion, up 19% compared to 2024 and the highest level ever recorded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the 2026–2030 period, Quang Tri province aims to convert 771 fishing vessels currently engaged in activities detrimental to marine resources and the ecological environment to more environmentally friendly fishing practices or shift entirely to other economic sectors.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2025 recorded a breakthrough growth in Vietnam’s tilapia exports, in which the U.S market emerging as the primary growth driver. The total export turnover of Vietnamese tilapia to the United States reached $53.15 million during the year, surging 173% year-on-year and accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value, thereby making the U.S the largest import market for this commodity. Compared to 2024, tilapia exports to the U.S posted robust growth, reflecting the import demand as well as the ability of Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on market opportunities amidst volatile global competitive dynamics.
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