VASEP’s report on Vietnam seafood exports in 2020 and forecast on 2021 performance

Why buy Seafood 08:21 16/02/2021 Lê Hằng
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2020, the country's seafood production has reached 8.4 million tons, a slight increase of 3% compared to 2019, of which aquaculture accounts for 54% with nearly 4.6 million tons. accounting for 46% with over 3.8 million tons. Seafood exports reached 8.4 billion USD, down 1.9% compared to 2019, of which aquaculture (shrimp, pangasius) accounted for 62% with 5.2 billion USD, captured seafood accounted for 38% with 3.2 billion USD.

The Covid-19 epidemic lasted for the whole of 2020, disrupting global trade in seafood, changing the trend of consumption of fishery products. Accordingly, Vietnam's main export products also fluctuate according to market trends, leading to an increase in exports of whiteleg shrimp, marine shrimp, variable fish, crabs and bivalve mollusks, while pangasius exports have decreased, tuna, squid and octopus exports decreased slightly.

COVID-19 has reduced the demand for seafood imports in the markets, but the main importers of Vietnamese seafood such as the EU, China, South Korea, and Japan only slightly decreased their imports from Vietnam (down 3-6%). Meanwhile, the US, the largest market still significantly increased (+ 10%) of Vietnam's seafood imports. In addition, other markets such as Russia, UK, Australia, and Canada still increased strongly (10-32%) of seafood imports from Vietnam.

Vietnam's seafood exports in the first quarter and second quarter of 2020 decreased by 10% and 7% respectively over the same period in 2019. However, from July, exports began to recover and increase in the third quarter (with 10% to 13% growth). In the fourth quarter, although the import demand of the markets is still good, the seafood trade is deadlocked because of the lack of empty containers to queue for export to other countries, while the freight is many times higher, causing export activities stagnation and slump.

In 2021, the seafood trade situation will still be strongly affected by this pandemic, even this is still the main factor that dominates Vietnam's trend of seafood import and export. However, Vietnam is still able to maintain its competitive strength thanks to a more stable supply of raw materials compared to other countries. In addition, the free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed will continue to be a lever for Vietnam's seafood exports to recover in some markets. After a year, Vietnamese seafood enterprises will have more experience and flexibility to adapt to changes and changes in market needs and tastes. Therefore, it is predicted that Vietnam's seafood export in 2021 will have better results than in 2020.

To get an overview, detailed forecast of seafood production and export trends over each quarter in 2021 and capture more details about the export status of each seafood item to markets in each month, each month. Quarter of 2020, you are invited to register for Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in 2020, issued by VASEP in February 2021.

Please sign up for the Report here: http://seafood.vasep.com.vn/reports/quarterly-report-on-vietnam-seafood-exports/reports-on-vietnam-seafood-export/report-on-vietnam-seafood-exports-in-2020-21357.html

seafood production seafood exports

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnamese tilapia in the U.S.: Great opportunities, but significant challenges

 |  16:35 16/04/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.

Pangasius shifts from “volume” to “value” in 2026

 |  08:32 15/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.

Gia Lai restores shrimp farming after storm, prepares for 2026 season

 |  08:29 14/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.

Promoting livelihood transition to reduce pressure on fisheries exploitation

 |  10:46 10/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.

High technology drives transformation of Vietnam’s shrimp industry

 |  10:38 08/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.

An Giang targets stable shrimp production in 2026

 |  10:11 03/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.

Circular economy opens new pathway to enhance pangasius value

 |  10:11 31/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.

Vietnam’s scallop exports surge amid global supply chain restructuring

 |  09:16 29/03/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.

Vietnam determined to remove IUU “yellow card”, moving toward a sustainable fisheries sector

 |  09:46 27/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).

Australia: a promising market for Vietnamese shrimp amid global trade volatility

 |  09:05 25/03/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.

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

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC