The sixth general congress of VASEP's members on 22nd December, 2020
It held its sixth congress in HCM City on Wednesday to review its 2015-20 activities and make plans for 2020-25, and speaking at the event, Trương Đình Hòe, its general secretary, said despite difficulties due to unfavourable weather, trade barriers such as anti-dumping taxes on shrimp and tra fish in the US and the EU’s ‘yellow card’ for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and others, Việt Nam’s seafood exports increased by 2.5 per cent on average in the last five years and it now ranks in the top three in the world with China and Norway.
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced exports significantly in the first half of this year, but they have recovered since July. The export this year is estimated to reach $8.58 billion, equal the figure of last year.
Trade deals such as the EU-Việt Nam FTA, CPTPP and others with major markets such as Korea, Japan, and ASEAN have helped Vietnamese seafood products become competitive in those markets, he said.
During the last five years the association worked with the Government to advocate sound policies, created business opportunities for its members through exhibitions and trade promotions and diversified the operation of its product committees, he said.
Talking about the new term, he said, “The association will work to achieve the export target of $12 billion by 2025, increase to 300 members from the current 160 and increase connectivity among them.”
The shrimp committee would work to reduce production cost, improve product competitiveness, enable traceability, and enhance processing to add value to the products.
Việt Nam’s shrimp exports are expected to exceed one million tonnes by 2025, helping it surpass India to become the world’s largest exporter, he said.
The association also plans to work to promote consumption of shrimp and other seafood in the domestic market, he said.
The marine product committee would seek to increase export to markets with which Việt Nam has FTAs, and the association is striving to get rid of the EC’s yellow card as soon as possible and diversify raw material sources, he said.
With this five-year strategic vision, the association wants to make the seafood sector to improve profitability and value addition for the industry, and promote the Vietnamese seafood brand globally, he added.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh hailed the association’s contribution to the country’s economic development over the last year.
“The agri-forestry-fishery sector is one the country’s key economic sectors with its exports estimated to reach $41.2 billion this year. Of this, seafood accounted for $8.5 billion.
“The 14 FTAs the country has signed will open the door wide for the sector to boost exports.”
But the sector also faces shortcomings and challenges like small scale of production, erratic raw material supply and trade barriers, he warned.
He urged the sector to focus on resolving these issues, getting the EC to lift its yellow card soon and increasing the processing rate to add value to its products.
Vietnamese seafood is exported to over 160 markets around the world, with the US, Japan, EU, China, Korea, and ASEAN being the largest.
VASEP received the Emulation Flag from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Industry and Trade for its achievements over past years.
The congress elected a 31-member executive board and re-elected Ngô Văn Ích as the association chairman for the 2020-25 term. — VNS
(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.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
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