By the end of August, seafood exports to the US still maintained a growth rate of nearly 27%, and to the EU increased by 10%. Exports to Korea are equivalent to the same period last year. In the top 5 markets, exports to China fell deeply by 14.6%, exports to Japan decreased by nearly 3%. Besides the US and EU, exports to Australia and Russia after 8 months still maintained high growth, increasing by 25% and 52% respectively over the same period last year.
The Covid-19 epidemic broke out strongly in the focus area of Vietnam's seafood, accounting for 90-95% of the country's seafood export turnover as well as the industry's workforce, causing difficulties for the business community.
The seafood export results in August 2021 clearly reflected the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the seafood industry. With a turnover of USD 588 million, seafood exports in August 2021 decreased by nearly 28% compared to the same period last year and decreased in most key products. Exports of shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid, octopus, crabs and other marine fish all decreased by 20-33% over the same period in 2020.
Exports to all markets in August 2021 decreased by 16 - 50% compared to the same period in 2020.Accordingly, exports to China and Japan both decreased sharply by 36%, to the EU decreased by 32% (only to the Netherlands decreased by nearly 50%, Germany decreased by 42%). Exports to the US and Russia decreased by at least 16%. Exports to the UK fell by 48%, to Australia and Canada by 35% and 37% respectively.
However, with the policy of supporting and promptly removing difficulties, obstacles and bottlenecks hindering production and trade activities of enterprises before the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, as content of Resolution No. 105/NQ-CP dated September 9, 2021 of the Government, seafood enterprises hope to have conditions and support programs to resume supply chains and gradually restore production and export from now on. 9/15. With the situation of epidemic control getting better, the policies and measures to combat the epidemic that are reasonable and suitable for both economic goals, seafood exports will accelerate in the last 3 months of the year, especially from October - the time when demand and export orders often increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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