In the second quarter of 2012, Vietnam bought a total of US$173.4 million of raw fish from outside. In January – June 2012, it imported raw fish from 69 countries and territories with the total value of US$331 million, including US$13 million from returned fish cargo.
The most important supplier of Vietnam was Taiwan, mostly marine fish species. In which skipjack tuna accounted for the largest proportion.
Indonesia and Thailand were also main tuna suppliers of Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam processors purchased a great volume of shrimp from these countries as they failed to find enough fish in domestic market and the price was much higher than that of imported shrimp.
For the period, versue exports, the proportion of imported seafood into Vietnam for outsourcing and re-export was nearly 11 percent. So products derived from imported fish occupy a part in the national export earnings. Being similar to other local producing countries like Thailand, Vietnam government needs to review and amend its policies on import tax, quality inspection of exported seafood to the EU and bank guarantee for tax payment grace…in order to help seafood companies get more raw material for processing and re-export, bringing higher revenue and keeping jobs for workers.
In Q.II/2012, imported fish still remained under the pressure of high quarantine fees for consignment regulated in Circular No.4/2012/TT-BTC by Vietnam Ministry of Finances. Importers must be charged of the quarantine fee which is 300 percent higher than those set in the Circular 199/2010/TT-BTC of 13th December 2010. The fee calculation will be based on consignment weight.
In addition, ocean freight was two times higher than last year, leading to huge cost for imported fish. While Vietnamese seafood processors were grappling with serious lack of capital for operating, Vietnam Customs (under Ministry of Finances) suggested that companies needed bank guarantee to get import tax payment grace period of 275 days. Many of them worried that the complex procedures may lead to waste of time and money.
In 2012 and the coming years, Vietnam seafood companies are predicted to struggle with persistent difficulties concerning lack of capital and rise of 10 – 35 percent in all input (electricity, water, worker salary, raw material supply, testing fees, fuel, packaging…), so that import of seafood material for further processing to export is expected to rise.
|
Vietnam import of fish, Jan – Jun 2012 |
|||||
|
No. |
Origin |
Value (US$) |
No. |
Origin |
Value (US$) |
|
1 |
Taiwan |
34,844,390 |
12 |
Canada |
9,020,162 |
|
2 |
Indonesia |
29,545,130 |
13 |
Ecuador |
8,287,990 |
|
3 |
The U.S. |
25,205,436 |
14 |
Denmark |
7,684,646 |
|
4 |
Norway |
22,358,624 |
15 |
China |
7,184,402 |
|
5 |
Japan |
21,026,424 |
16 |
Spain |
5,195,361 |
|
6 |
South Korea |
20,875,321 |
17 |
Tuvalu |
4,724,041 |
|
7 |
Thailand |
19,457,384 |
18 |
New Zealand |
4,665,734 |
|
8 |
Poland |
15,824,140 |
19 |
Myanmar |
4,317,854 |
|
9 |
India |
13,053,798 |
20 |
The U.K |
3,895,645 |
|
10 |
Russia |
10,553,422 |
|
Others |
54,105,118 |
|
11 |
Chile |
9,111,025 |
|
Total |
330,936,047 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
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