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 months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(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.
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