In May 2024, tuna exports soared by 36% to over US$95 million, driven by robust demand for canned tuna, which jumped by 18%, and pouched tuna, which skyrocketed over 3.5 times higher. Frozen tuna loin/phlle exports also surged by 25%, while frozen whole tuna exports soared by over seven times compared to May 2023. Cumulative tuna exports for the first five months of 2024 reached nearly US$397 million, up 25% from the same period in 2023.
Crab and swimming crab exports also witnessed impressive growth, climbing by nearly 92% to over USD 26 million in May. This surge was primarily fueled by a more than twofold increase in crab exports. The two largest markets for Vietnamese crab (China and Japan) both increase imports. China emerges as the top destination for Vietnamese live crab, with imports soaring by 11 times compared to May 2023. Meanwhile, Japan primarily imports processed snow crab finished products, including snow crab meat, shelled snow crab, snow crab claws, and a small portion of processed freshwater crab.
Pangasius exports rose by 10%, while exports of cephalopod, and other fish species all experience modest growth of 3% in May. Cumulative pangasius exports for the first five months of the year reached nearly US$755 million, up slightly by 3% from the same period in 2023. On the other hand, marine finfish exports declined by 3% to US$742 million, while cephalopod exports reached US$236 million, down nearly 2% compared to May 2023.
Despite a slight dip in May, shrimp exports maintain a positive growth trajectory for the year, increasing by 7% to USD 1.3 billion for the first five months.
While some markets have yet to experience a full rebound, major export destinations are showing signs of gradual recovery in both demand and import prices. Seafood exports to the US, Japan, the EU, and South Korea all record positive growth in May, ranging from 5% to 26%. Notably, exports to China falls by 8% compared to the same period. By the end of May, the US remains the top destination, with seafood imports from Vietnam reaching US$635 million, representing a 13% growth. Exports to Japan, China, South Korea, and the EU saw more modest increases of 3-4% compared to May 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
