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) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
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