It is estimated that seafood exports to the US in May 2021 will continue to go ahead and it is forecast that exports from June will accrete more strongly after this market is fully opened from May 20, 2021.
Processed shrimp and pangasius fillets have the highest turnover
In April 2021, exports of key products to the US market rose. In which, shrimp exports increased by 47% to 63.5 million USD, pangasius export turnover grew the most (up 136%) to 30.4 million USD, tuna value soared by 56% to over 31 million USD, squid exports , octopus increased by 83%...
In the first 4 months of 2021, shrimp exports to the US brought about 198 million USD, up nearly 25% and accounting for 21% of Vietnam's total seafood exports. Pangasius export turnover to this market fetched 102 million USD, up 37% over the same period and accounting for 21% of total pangasius exports. Meanwhile, the US accounted for nearly 42% of Vietnam's total tuna exports with $94.5 million in the first four months of the year, up 15% over the same period last year.
Shrimp accounted for the highest proportion in seafood export value to the US, with 41%, pangasius 21%, marine products 38%.
The US is leading the import markets of Vietnam's shrimp, pangasius, tuna and crab and is the second largest importer of marine fish.
In the first 4 months of this year, there were about 220 seafood export enterprises to the US, of which 67 companies had export sales of 1 million USD or more. The top 3 enterprises with a dominant proportion include Soc Trang Seafood Joint Stock Company (accounting for over 13% of turnover), Vinh Hoan Joint Stock Company, accounting for 8.6%, and Bien Dong Seafood Company accounting for about 7.0%. The top 10 exporters to the US (table below) account for nearly 60% of the country's total seafood export value to this market.
Top 10 seafood products (according to HS codes in the table below) accounted for 80% of seafood export value to the US. Of which, processed whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp made up the highest proportion with 21.2%, followed by frozen pangasius fillet accounted for nearly 21%, yellowfin tuna loin/steak/cube for 8.9%, fresh whiteleg shrimp for 7%, breaded shrimp for 6.1%, frozen marine fish fillet 4.6%, shrimp sushi 4.2%, canned tuna 2.5%, PD whiteleg shrimp 2.5%...
Consumption and import of seafood will skyrocket in the second half of the year
The widespread and rapid deployment of vaccines against Covid-19 in the US and the government's economic stimulus package boosted the US economy to 6.5% growth in the first quarter of 2021. Therefore, seafood orders increased not only in the retail sector but also in the food service, restaurant and hotel segments.
By May 20, 2021, all 50 states of the United States have reopened gradually, factories are operating normally again, many large supermarkets of retailers no longer restrict customers, tourism and beaches are open to guests... These are signs of a stronger increase in US seafood consumption and imports from now until the end of the year.
According to statistics of the US Department of Agriculture, in the first quarter of 2021, the US imported 696 thousand tons of seafood of all kinds, worth nearly 5.5 billion USD, up 8% in both volume and value over the same period last year. In 2020, the US imported 2.8 million tons of seafood, worth $21.4 billion, up 2.5% in volume, but down 2.5% in value compared to 2019.
With the current growth momentum and recovery, it is forecasted that seafood imports to the US market in 2021 will increase by 6% in volume to 2.9 million tons, and in value by 9% to US$23.3 billion, higher than import levels of the years before the Covid pandemic. The demand for tourism and restaurant dining, which has been "suppressed" for a long time, will "explode" in the coming months, so the import value will increase more strongly than the volume. Therefore, in the near future, the US will be the target market for exporting countries, such as Vietnam, India, Ecuador, Indonesia and Thailand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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