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) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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