January has brought in a promising start for 2025, with a slight increase of 3% in seafood exports compared to the same time last year. The total export value hit over $774 million, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.
Key highlights from exports in January
The main driver of this increase? Higher demand from China during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The Chinese market, in particular, has shown a surge in imports of high-end seafood products like lobster, crab, and clams. Notably, lobster exports to China reached a staggering $70 million in January, nearly half of Vietnam's seafood exports to China for the period, marking a ninefold increase from last year. Similarly, exports of crab to China skyrocketed 18 times, hitting $18.5 million in the same month.
Thanks to the boost in lobster exports, Vietnam’s total shrimp exports have surged by 24%, providing an important boost not only for China but also for other ASEAN markets. These markets remain crucial for Vietnam’s seafood industry, and such growth is vital in maintaining the sector’s positive trajectory.
Declining exports and global market uncertainty
While some products like pangasius, tuna, cephalopod, and other items have seen a decline in exports, this is relatively typical for this time of year. Experts are watching closely as global seafood trade is largely influenced by shifting policies, particularly U.S. tariff regulations. With the new administration in place, it’s still early to determine how these tariffs will impact the seafood industry, both for Vietnam and other global players.
Experts estimate that it will take 3 to 6 months to get a clearer view of how the U.S. market will evolve in response to these policies. During this time, we can expect both exporters and U.S. importers to ramp up trade activity. This could lead to an uptick in exports to the U.S. in the coming months. However, there are challenges ahead—rising transportation and logistics costs could be a concern, especially for popular items like shrimp and pangasius.
The competition and emerging trends
While Vietnam’s position in the Chinese seafood market remains strong, competition is heating up. With local Chinese products and competitors from countries like India, Ecuador, and Canada vying for space in markets like the U.S., Europe, and ASEAN, it’s going to be tough. Additionally, with new import tariffs from the U.S. affecting China and Canada, the dynamics are shifting, and it’s unclear how the global seafood market will adapt.
In the face of this competition, Vietnamese businesses need to stay flexible and responsive to changes in the market. Here are a few recommendations:
Recommendations for Vietnamese seafood businesses
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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