Some of the most prominent events of the industry are as follows:
1. The anti-dumping duty of the POR11 for pangasius was high. On 29th Mar 2016, the US’ Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the final decision on its 11th administrative review (POR 11) of anti-dumping duties for the period from 1st Aug 2013 to 31st Jul 2014 for pangasius imported from Vietnam. In the final result, DOC determined the final tax rates, in which, the duties for 2 mandatory respondents were US$0.41/kg and US$0.97/kg; that for 14 voluntary defendants was US$0.69/kg and Vietnam-wide rate was US$2.39/kg. Due to the high tax rate, there were 2-3 large pangasius companies continuing to export to the US.
2. Drought and salinity intrusion affected on the aquaculture. In the first half of 2016, the Mekong Delta provinces were heavily influenced by climate change. Droughts, freshwater shortages and salinity intrusion impacted on seafood production especially freshwater species. Farming areas and stocking density decreased. Shrimp farmers shifted to extensive farming and innovated extensive farming.
3. Pangasius prices quoted at the lowest levels in the last 5 years.
4. The anti-dumping duty for Vietnamese shrimp exported to the US increased. On 7th Sep 2016, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued the final conclusion in the 10th administrative review (POR10) of anti-dumping duties on shrimp for the period from 1st Feb 2014 to 31st Jan 2015. Compared to the tariffs in POR9, those in POR10 were much higher, from 0.91% to 4.78% for the mandatory respondents and voluntary defendants.
5. In 2016, Vietnam’s shrimp exports rebounded from the negative growth of 25.3% in 2015. At the beginning of 2016, exports of shrimp recovered and maintained the positive growth throughout the year with 0.1 - 12.3% (except for May 2016). Total shrimp exports in 2016 estimated at US$3.15 billion, up 6.7% over last year. In particular, shipments of whiteleg shrimp accounted for 61%, those of black tiger shrimp took up nearly 31%, and those of other marine shrimp made up 8%.
6. China overtook the EU to become the 2nd largest importer of Vietnam’s pangasius. In Jan-Aug 2016, exports to China recorded the continuous growth and peaked at US$30.9 million and US$30 million in Aug and Sep 2016, respectively. As of Sep 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the China - Hong Kong reached US$201.9 million, up 75.6% over the same period last year. After months of relentless growth, China outstripped the EU to rank the 2nd leading buyer of Vietnam’s pangasius.
7. Enterprises had difficulties in implementing the Catfish inspection program. In late 2015, USDA announced the deployment of the inspection program for catfish imports. The program officially started to take effect in Mar 2016. On 25th May 2016, the Senate voted to reverse a controversial change to USDA’s catfish inspections. In an 55-43 vote, the Senate passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 28), which would undo the program. However, the program expected to continue which will be difficulties for enterprises in the coming time.
8. There was a new US’ regulation, which if companies want to export tuna, they have to protect dolphins. In early 2016, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a new rule, companies are eligible to label tuna products with “Dolphin Safe”, they will have to have a written report of masters of fishing vessels confirming that there’re no purse seine nets or other fishing gears intentionally deployed on or used to encircle during their tuna fishing trips and there’re no dolphins killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which tuna were caught. Besides, captains of fishing vessels have to complete of the NMFS TTVP dolphin-safe captain's training course.
9. Vietnam’s tuna exports recovered after drops in the last 3 years, with sharp rise from the end of QII/2016. In 2016, total tuna exports estimated at US$500 million, up 9% compared to 2015. Companies boosted exports of frozen tuna loins (HS code 0304) and steamed tuna loins (HS code 16), while exports of fresh/live/frozen tuna and canned tuna continued to decline. Sales of frozen tuna loins represented the highest proportion of 47%, those of canned tuna accounted for 30%, and other products made up 23%.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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