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 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.
(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.
(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.
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