Speaking at the annual meeting of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP) in HCM City yesterday, he said there had been complaints from seafood processing companies about numerous difficulties in importing raw seafood for re-export.
Truong Dinh Hoe, VASEP general secretary, said Viet Nam imported seafood worth US$541 million from 74 countries and territories last year.
Around 80 per cent of it was for processing for re-export, the rest was for breeding and local consumption, he said.
With local supply being unstable for long now, importing seafood to process for export has been vital for companies to maintain production and sustain jobs, according to the report.
Despite the EU's debt problems and other difficulties, the seafood industry should continue to consider it as a key export market, Hoe said.
But they should also focus more on emerging markets in Asia, especially ASEAN members, due to their high demand for seafood products, particularly tra fish products, he said.
The association would draft programmes to boost exports of shrimp and tra fish products to South Korea and South America, he said.
Global seafood demand was expected to recover at the end of the year, he said, adding that along with policy support and companies' efforts to restructure, this would enable the seafood industry to meet the year's export target of $6.5 billion.
Fisheries bailout
Viet Nam Development Bank (VDB) has agreed in principle to support tra fish farmers, processors and exporters facing a hard time, according to the VASEP.
Last week, the bank sent a document to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requesting him to approve three proposals to bail out the industry under Government Resolution No 13/NQ-CP. The proposals, involving more than $330 million in loans, were composed by the bank and VASEP.
VASEP said the tra fish industry had a serious shortage of capital and raw materials. Production was stagnant.
It added that if there were no timely solutions, about 20-30 per cent of producers would go bankrupt this year, affecting any future development.
While waiting for the Prime Minister's approval on policies to deal with investment and export credit risks, the document asked the bank to be allowed to extend loans to seafood and tra fish exporters. The debt would be scheduled for payment within two years.
VDB said it would take responsibility for co-ordinating with VASEP to review and process each specific case. This could mean rescheduling debts or continuing to offer loans to maintain production, exports and stable employment.
Next, while waiting for export credit regulations to be issued under Decree No 75/2011/ND-CP, the bank asked to be allowed to help processors get loans to buy fish from farmers.
Farmers would also be allowed to access loans to develop fish breeding areas and repay them from their export contracts.
Finally, to save large seafood exporters grinding to a halt, the two organisations proposed that: "Besides the above solutions, relevant State bodies and VASEP will work out solutions to enable them to restructure the organisation, settle financial problems, and improve productionmanagement".
In May, VASEP asked the bank to offer emergency support to the tra fish industry. According to VASEP, the processors need a total capital estimated at VND5 trillion (US$238 million) to buy 200,000 tonnes of tra fish.
The association said the companies already had export contracts and wanted the bank to help them purchase the raw product with four-month loans at preferential interest rates below 10 per cent per year.
In addition, companies that breed tra fish require a combined VND2 trillion ($95.2 million) to be able to annually supply 100,000 tonnes of fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, commercial clam prices in Ha Tinh province surged sharply, nearly doubling compared to normal levels and standing about 20–30% higher than the same period last year. The spike has encouraged many aquaculture households to accelerate harvesting and sell large volumes to the market.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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