In November 2022, exports of shrimp, pangasius and tuna all decreased by 20-26% compared to the same period last year. Only cephalopods and marine fishes exports still maintained positive growth of 9% and 6%, respectively.
By the end of November, pangasius exports still grew strongly by 63% to nearly 2.3 billion USD, shrimp exports earned over 4 billion USD, up 14%. Tuna is the sector with the second largest growth of 40%, reaching 941 million USD. Export of cephalopods also increased strongly by 30% to 704 million USD.
The US market contributes the largest amount of foreign currency to Vietnamese seafood with over US$2 billion, up nearly 10% over the same period in 2021. Exports to China - Hong Kong and the Japanese market achieved approximate sales , about 1.6 billion USD. By the end of November, seafood exports to the EU market brought in over $1.2 billion and to South Korea reached over $882 million.
The CPTPP countries (including Japan), accounted for over 26% of Vietnam's total seafood exports with nearly $2.7 billion in the first 11 months of the year, up 34%.
In general, the achievement of over 10 billion USD by the end of November is the result of strong growth in the first 3 quarters of the year, with favorable market demand, increased export prices, and sufficient raw materials to supply orders.
In the second half of 2022, Vietnam's seafood export growth slowed down
However, in the second half of the year, export growth slowed down and market demand dropped, especially in the fourth quarter. In October, seafood exports only increased by 2% over the same period. In November, seafood exports increased 14%, lower than in November 2021.
Seafood exports in December are forecasted to fall further and the decline trend will last until 2023. Inflation heavily affects import markets, and decreases the purchasing demand in the first quarter of 2023. Many seafood enterprises said that orders have dropped sharply not only for high-priced items such as black tiger shrimp, large white leg shrimp, and high-class seafood such as squid, octopus, tuna, etc, but also other affordable products such as small shrimp, pangasius, small sea fish, fish cakes, surimi also saw a significant reduction in demand for the next quarter.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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