For the whole year, the export of mollusk shells reached 141.6 million USD, an increase of 35% compared to 2020. Except in February, exports decreased by 24% as it coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday, and in November when exports grew slightly by 9%. For the rest of the year, all recorded double-digit export growth (from 22-82%).
In the structure of mollusk shell exports last year, clams were the main product, accounting for 73% with nearly 103 million USD, up 52% compared to 2020. The second-largest export product was snails accounting for 10% with over 14 million USD, up 3%. Followed by scallop products, scallops accounted for 8% with 11.4 million USD, up 13%. The rest are oysters, scallops, mussels, abalone, and other mixed types...
In 2021, Vietnam exports mollusk shells to more than 50 markets, out of which the top 10 markets consume more than 90% of Vietnam's total mollusk shell exports.
Spain is the largest single market for Vietnam's mollusk shells, accounting for 18%, Italy and the US are second, accounting for 17%, and Portugal is 15%. Japan ranks 5th, accounting for 8% of Vietnam's mollusk shell exports.
Last year, exports to most of the main markets grew by double digits. In which, exports to the US increased the most, 93% reaching 23.6 million USD. Exports to three major EU markets including Spain, Italy, and Portugal increased from 37.5 to 43.7%, reaching 26 million USD, 24.6 million USD, and 20.9 million USD, respectively. However, exports to Japan fell by over 18% to only 11.4 million USD.
Particularly for clam products, Spain, Italy and Portugal were the three largest importing markets, accounting for 25%, 24%, and 20% of Vietnam’s export value, respectively. The US ranked 4th with 14%. Clam exports to all markets got 2-3 digit growths, with the US market alone observing a growth of 144%.
In 2021, there were 20 localities across the country that had exported clams, of which, the leading province is Thanh Hoa, accounting for over 30% of clam export turnover with 24.5 million USD, mainly attributed to Thanh Hoa Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company. The province with the second largest clam export turnover is Ben Tre with 17.8 million USD, accounting for 22% with 3 exporters, namely Ben Tre Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Ben Tre Seafood Joint Stock Company, and Hung Truong Phat Seafood Joint Stock Company. Ranking third is Nam Dinh province with a 12% share, prominently by Lenger Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd worth nearly 10 million USD.
In the first quarter of 2022, the country's shellfish exports increased by 24%, reaching over 30 million USD, of which clams alone were estimated at nearly 20 million USD, up 40% over the same period in 2021.
It is forecasted that mollusk shell exports will continue to increase in the coming months, according to which it is estimated that exports in April 2022 will reach over 12 million USD, up 4% over the same period in 2021.
Please register for the Vietnam Seafood Export Report to access detailed data about the export of each main seafood product in the first quarter of 2022, as well as a forecast for the whole year of 2022.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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