Key Markets Show Strong Growth
South Korea and Thailand remain the two largest markets, importing USD 49 million (up 21%) and USD 46 million (up 24%) respectively in the first seven months of the year. Both markets consume these products directly and reprocess products for regional distribution.
Within CPTPP markets, export value of this product group rose 23% to USD 31 million. Japan led with a 25% growth, reflecting signs of recovery in traditional processed products. Malaysia and Singapore also showed positive growth at 19% and 21%, respectively.
Notably, in July 2025 alone, exports to China and Hong Kong skyrocketed by 104% year-on-year. Cumulative exports for the first seven months reached $26 million, rise 57%, driven by rising demand for both consumption and reprocessing.
The EU emerged as a bright spot, with July imports surging 89%. Total exports for the period reached $16 million, up 47%, led by Lithuania and Spain.
By contrast, the U.S. market remained modest at $6 million with a slight increase (2%). However, July 2025 saw a sharp 74% decline compared to July 2024, due to new countervailing tariff policies and cautious importers.
Global market context
On the international market, global surimi supply remains abundant, keeping prices under downward pressure. Japanese buyers are selective, accepting price increases only for premium grade-A surimi, while lower-grade products maintain stable prices. In the EU, declining inflation has boosted purchasing power, supporting demand for mid-value processed products. South Korea increased seafood imports in the first half of 2025, strengthening its role as one of Vietnam’s key markets.
Meanwhile, the U.S is considered the most policy-risk-prone market. New countervailing tariffs may affect potentially undermining competitiveness, especially as exemptions for specific HS codes remain unclear.
Outlook for the second half of 2025
In the latter half of 2025, Asian markets are expected to continue driving growth in Vietnam’s fish cakes and surimi exports, supported by stable demand and flexible pricing. The EU is forecast to maintain its recovery momentum, with a focus on convenient, small-packaged products catering to cost-conscious consumers. China and Hong Kong show strong growth potential but face intense competition from Russian and ASEAN suppliers.
The U.S. remains the most unpredictable market. Businesses are advised to secure contracts only with clear tariff confirmations.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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