The Covid pandemic caused a sharp increase in the cost of sea transport to the European and American markets and the shortage of containers, which significantly affected Vietnam's seafood export activities. Among export items, shrimp had the highest sales, accounting for 38% while marine fish (except tuna) had the most positive growth, up over 14% and accounting for 23% of seafood exports. Ranked third is pangasius with 344 million USD, up slightly 3% and accounting for 19%. Tuna exports increased slightly by 3% to 344.2 million USD, while the export of squid and octopus increased by nearly 8% to 116 million USD.
While Covid-19 continues to affect exports of high-priced fresh frozen seafood products such as fresh fish, squid, frozen octopus, and tiger shrimp, the exports of canned seafood products, dry, surimi, fish sauce ... have the potential for strong growth in the first quarter of this year.
In the first quarter of 2021, Vietnam exported seafood to 140 markets, of which the US market was still the pioneer in both turnover and export growth, accounting for nearly 19% of Vietnam's total seafood exports. Next is Japan with 17.6%, ranked third is the Chinese market with 11%.
Demand for seafood in the retail and service segments both tends to increase in major markets such as the US, EU and China's resolution of the congestion of import ports since March has had a positive impact. to Vietnam's seafood export activities to these markets.
How will the new Covid wave affect Vietnam's seafood production and export in the second quarter and the whole year 2021? Does Vietnam have the opportunity and room to increase exports to markets when Asian seafood producing and processing countries are heavily affected by the Covid epidemic?
We would like to invite the businesses and readers to register the Report on Vietnam Seafood Export in Quarter I/2021 to get a detailed information and satistic on sales, prices and export trends of Vietnamese seafood products in the first 3 months of the year, assessment of supply-demand of markets and forecast of production and export of seafood in the second quarter and the following months of 2021.
See table of content, list of figures and tables in the Report here.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
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