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) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
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