The top 10 main markets of
Seafood shipment witnessed ebbs and flows in the past 5 months during which exports in Feb experienced the deepest dive (-30 percent) after an increase of 34 percent in Jan and reported a decrease of 17 percent in Mar. Entering Apr and May, exports tended to rebound compared with the same period of 2012 despite a low growth of 2 – 5 percent. Demand of seafood importers in the world, showed recovery signs and domestic production of raw material (shrimp, pangasius, tuna) has been increasing. Four main factors led to the decline in seafood exports during the first 5 months of 2013:
1. Instability in raw material supply
2. Demand from main importing markets dropped due to economic downturn
3. Technical barriers and barriers of duty imposed by main importing markets: Antidumping duty imposed by the
4. Many processors must suspend their operation or curtail production due to low demand from importers, lack of capital and the State’s supportive policies, hiking production costs.
Shrimp exports were on upward trend of 7 – 9 percent in Apr and May thanks to an increase in raw shrimp supply due to this period coincides with the harvesting season in the country. Shrimp exports represented the highest proportion of 37 percent with a turnover of US$830 million, up 4 percent over the same time of 2012. The next is pangasius exports with US$670 million, representing a decrease of 7 percent and making up 29 percent of total exports.
Pangasius farmers and processors were still under strain due to lack of capital, instability of raw material supply, low demand from importers and duty barriers.
The most outstanding factors depressing
Tuna exports posed upbeat data in 2012 with a monthly growth of over 50 percent, however, entering Mar 2013, tuna exports showed decreasing signs with a reduction of 16 percent. Tuna shipment continued the downward trend of 16 percent in May. Total tuna exports in the first 5 months of 2013 were slated to reach US$251 million, up only 10 percent over the same time of 2012. The decline was mainly attributable to tuna demand in the early 2013 that slowed down after a strong increase in 2011 and especially in 2012. According to tuna exporters, tuna inventories in tuna importing countries were high while tuna price fell down. Moreover, mostly
Cephalopod exports witnessed the deepest dive of 25 percent with a revenue of US$154 million. In 2012, among top exported seafood items, tuna outstripped the third position to cephalopod exports. Entering the year 2013, exports of this item continued to shrink.
After a strong growth in 2012, exports of other marine finfish items and fish paste and surimi also followed the decline of tuna exports. Exports of these items in Mar 2013 sharply slashed by 28 percent, exports in Apr edged up slightly, exports in May continued to fall by 10 percent, driving exports in the first 5 months of 2013 down nearly 4 percent with a revenue of US$312 million. Production of marine finfish, including tuna for processing and exporting, experienced a setback because of hiking fishing costs, restriction of fishing stocks and low quality of post-harvested products.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
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