After a strong increase of 23% in November, seafood exports in December continued to increase by 29% to over US$940 million. In December 2021, exports of all key products increased sharply by 6-110%.
Thanks to a breakthrough increase in December, with a growth rate of about 80% to about USD 245 million, pangasius exports for the whole year in 2021 exceeded expectations with over USD 1.6 billion, up 10%.
Shrimp exports in December increased by 10% to about 325 million USD. By the end of the year, shrimp exports reached 3.88 billion USD, up 4%. Tuna exports increased by 55% in December to USD 85.5 million, bringing the whole year result to USD 757 million. Cephalopod exports in December reached over USD 60 million, up 10%, accordingly, the whole year exports reached over USD 600 million.
Seafood exports to China in December rebounded the most, increasing by 90% to over $170 million. However, because exports to this market continuously decreased from March to October, the total export value in 2021 still decreased 14% compared to 2020 to reach 1.17 billion USD. China only accounts for 13% of Vietnam's seafood exports, compared to 16% in 2020.
The US still accounts for the highest proportion, 23% of Vietnam's seafood exports with over 2 billion USD in 2021, an increase of 26% compared to 2020. Particularly in December 2021, seafood exports to the US reached 176 million USD, up 32% over the same period in 2020.
In 2021, seafood exports to the EU market account for 12% with over 1 billion USD, up 12% compared to 2020. Last month, seafood exports to the EU also increased sharply by 26% to reach 109 million USD.
Exports to CPTPP countries in 2021 have earned nearly 2.2 billion USD, almost equivalent to 2020. In December alone, exports to this market block reached 209 million USD. While exports to Japan continued to decline by 8% in December, exports to Australia still grew by 13%. Exports to Japan in 2021 reached 1.3 billion USD, down over 6%, while exports to Australia reached 265 million USD, up 6% compared to 2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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