This year, seafood continues to be the key export item of Vietnamese agricultural sector with an estimated export revenue of US$335 million in February.
In the first 2 months of the year, seafood sales brought back US$919 million, up 23.5 percent year on year, while earnings from agricultural exports were down 20.5 percent to US$1.73 billion,
The U.S. remains the leading seafood importer of Vietnam, representing 26.67 percent in total export value. In January 2014, this market sourced US$155.6 million of seafood products, up 89 percent year on year.
Shipments to Japan, Korea, and Australia also got considerable growth of 31.45 percent, 29.27 percent and 17.85 percent, respectively. Some other countries saw drop like China (-37.79 percent) and Thailand (-7 percent).
Raw material imports keep hiking
Besides, imports of raw material into the country reported a sharp increase. In February, import value of seafood is estimated to be US$85 million. The two-month figure totaled US$185 million, up 115.5 percent against the same period of last year.
Marine fish landings up, farmed fish production down
According to MARD, Vietnam’s fish production in February this year is estimated to reach 369.7 thousand MT, up 4 percent year on year. The figure in the first two months of the year is estimated to reach 768.8 thousand MT, up 2.3 percent year on year.
Aquaculture output hit 323.6 thousand MT, down 0.3 percent. Capture output registered 445.2 thousand MT, up 4.3 percent in which marine catch jumped by 4.7 percent to 419.4 thousand MT.
Aquaculture production in February is gauged to be 140.8 thousand MT, down 1.5 percent year on year.
Pangasius farmers continue to meet difficulties due to lower raw fish price and decreased output. Prices of raw fish has not increased from the previous month so farmers has no interest in keeping the fish farms, leading to decreased farming areas and production.
Farming shrimp and other aquatic species witnessed stability. The provinces in the country are stocking whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp under innovated extensive model and preparing ponds for new crop of black tiger shrimp.
The capture production hit 228.9 thousand MT in February, up 7.8 percent year on year, of which marine catch increased by 8.6 percent to 215.3 thousand MT.
Some provinces caught high volume of fish such as Kien Giang of 73,790 MT, Ninh Thuan 33,500 MT, 17,200 MT of Binh Thuan, Vung Tau 43,183 MT, Bac Lieu 17,914 MT and 28,500 MT of Ca Mau.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
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