In 2020, Vietnam's tuna industry brought an export turnover of 649 million USD, down nearly 10% compared to 2019. In which, the export of canned tuna and other processed tuna accounted for an outstanding proportion (52%) while frozen tuna accounts for 48%.
Tuna export decreased in the first half of the year, of which the strongest decline in the second quarter (-28%), in the third quarter it recovered slightly (up 2.1%) and in the fourth quarter only decreased by 0.5% over the same period of 2019 (reaching 172 million USD), demonstrating the flexibility of tuna exporters in using the opportunity to increase exports of canned and processed products. In product structure, exports of loin tuna and frozen fillets fell sharply (down 25%), mainly due to a decrease in the first 3 quarters of the year (in which the second quarter fell the most with a decline of 50%). The fourth quarter showed more positive signals with a decrease of only 4%. Meanwhile, canned tuna exports increased by 19% and the highest increase in the third quarter (up nearly 50%) and continued to increase 12% in the fourth quarter.
By the end of 2020, Vietnam's cephalopod exports reached $560 million, down 2.6% compared to 2019. Like tuna, cephalopod exports tended to recover in the second half of the year, whereby exports surged 12% in the third quarter and 10% in the fourth quarter reaching $162 million.
Frozen octopus accounted for the highest proportion (38%) with 216 million USD, down 11% mainly due to the deep drop in the first and second quarter (down 35% and 21%), but since the third quarter it has reversed with the increased by 11% and 3% respectively in the last 2 quarters of the year.
Frozen squid accounted for the second largest proportion (27%) with 154 million USD and surged 12% in the fourth quarter after declining in 3 consecutive quarters. Dried squid exports started to recover from the second quarter with a spectacular increase in 3 quarters: up 36% in the second quarter, 50% in the third quarter and 33% in the fourth quarter, bringing in $131 million in revenue in the past year, up 29% compared to 2019. Only processed octopus plummeted 20% to over 30 million USD in 2020 and decreased in the first 3 quarters of the year, then recovered slightly by nearly 4% in the fourth quarter.
In addition to tuna and cephalopod, exports of crab, bivalve mollusks and other marine fish all increased compared to 2019. In which, crab exports reached 182 million USD, up 22%, bivalve mollusk exports increased 12% to 105 million USD, other marine fish (except tuna) recovered slightly by 0.8% to 1.68 billion USD.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
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