The United States is a global leader in sustainable fisheries and is one of the major countries early engaged in international efforts to combat IUU fishing and trade fraud through operational programs, measures and legal systems to minimize fishing and trade in IUU catches that damage the marine environment and fisheries resources.
In recent years, the United States has had specific programs and regulations to combat IUU fishing such as the 2015 IUU Anti-Catching Enforcement Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Dolphin-safe program, the Program to Control Imported Fisheries ... according to the regulations applicable to commercial fisheries and export fisheries of the countries. Subjects of application are products imported from identified countries that may have IUU fishing or effects affecting marine mammals.
In addition to the anti-IUU regulations and recommendations that the EU asked Vietnam to implement after issuing the IUU yellow card warning on October 23, 2017, the US regulations are also having a significant impact on the export of Vietnamese seafood to this market.
The United States is always one of the three largest seafood import markets of Vietnam, but the strict regulations of this market make the US share go from 20% in previous years to 17% of the total seafood export turnover of Vietnam in the past 2 years. For Vietnamese seafood and the world, the United States is always an important market, so maintaining stability and boosting exports to this market is not only to increase foreign currency for the country but also affirm the credit and position of Vietnamese seafood in the world market.
With the aim of helping the Vietnamese fisheries community, especially seafood exporters to know about the latest and important information and regulations of the US market related to combating IUU fishing, fishing, responsible farming and exporting, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards, the International Cooperation Department - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development collaborated with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) to compile and publish a guidebook called "A Guide to Compliance with Regulations on Combating IUU Fishing and Necessary Recommendations for Exporting Seafood to the United States".
The guidebook covers the concepts, regulations and programs of combating IUU fishing and marine resource conservation by FAO of the United Nations, the United States and Vietnam, with emphasis on regulations and the US programs that apply to exporting countries such as the anti-IUU fishing program, the seafood import surveillance program, the marine mammal conservation program, as well as the introduction of food safety regulations that seafood producers and exporters need to care about and comply with when exporting to this market.
The small 70-page manual, printed in A5 size the book is hopefully a useful document, helping the farming community, fishermen and businesses to realize and improve production, processing and export processes, aiming to maintain the market and increase seafood export turnover to the United States.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
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
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