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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(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.
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