A strong “sprint” in Q4 and december
The final months of 2025 witnessed a powerful acceleration. In Q4/2025 alone, export turnover reached $3.103 billion, up 10.3% compared with the same period last year. December contributed $954.5 million (a 9.2% increase). This period saw companies intensifying shipments to meet festive-season demand across Asian markets, particularly China and Hong Kong, which recorded an explosive growth of 22.9% in the final quarter. December marked a critical sprint for exporters targeting the U.S. market as they raced against a tightening regulatory window. These included compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), an import ban effective from January 1, 2026 on species linked to 12 fisheries not recognized as equivalent and the anticipated announcement of POR19 anti-dumping duties on shrimp, expected in late February 2026.
Q4 growth was primarily propelled by shrimp, which generated $1.244 billion, up 16.8%) and other seafood products such as squid and octopus (+20.4%), crab and crustaceans (+20.9%). In contrast, tuna remained a 'dark spot', declining 10.8% in Q4. The downturn was exacerbated by the U.S. MMPA regulations, the ongoing IUU yellow card and persistent challenges in raw material sourcing.
The corporate landscape: the resilience of industry “flagship players”
2025 also served as a definitive year for market leaders to consolidate their dominance. The top 10 seafood exporters made a significant contribution to the industry’s total export turnover, featuring well-established names from the shrimp and pangasius segments.
Leading the ranking was STAPIMEX with export turnover of $309.8 million, followed by “Shrimp King” Minh Phu (whose combined revenue from its Ca Mau and Hau Giang entities surpassed $542 million). Vinh Hoan fortified its undisputed dominance in the pangasius sector with $249.0 million. The inclusion of names such as Phat Loi, An Hai and Tai Kim Anh in the top 10 signals a powerful upward trajectory for enterprises focusing on deep-processed products and the burgeoning Chinese market.
The success of Vietnamese seafood enterprises in 2025 stemmed from their effective utilization of FTAs and timely market shifts. When the U.S. market faced headwinds from reciprocal tariffs implemented in August 2025, exporters swiftly pivoted toward the CPTPP bloc (exceeding $3 billion) and China ($2.4 billion).
However, Q4 results revealed looming pressure from technical barriers such as the IUU yellow card and marine mammal protection regulations (MMPA), which weighed heavily on the wild-caught seafood segment. Sustaining growth momentum in 2026 will largely depend on the industry’s ability to ensure supply chain transparency and optimize production costs amidst the volatile fluctuations of international trade policies.
Building on the solid foundation laid in 2025, Vietnam’s seafood sector remains well positioned for sustainable growth, despite expectations of renewed challenges in 2026, particularly from the U.S market and increasingly stringent 'green' certification requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(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.
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