According to the US notice, in January 2026 Vietnam split its previous fishery code into four separate swimming crab fisheries based on target species and fishing gear, including Fishery IDs 13164, 13206, 13204, and 13205. After reviewing Vietnam’s submissions, supplementary information, and related data, US authorities determined that these four fisheries are comparable in effectiveness to US management programs. This is considered a positive development for Vietnam’s swimming crab industry, especially after the NMFS’s preliminary determination in August 2025 had placed the swimming crab fisheries of Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines among those not meeting MMPA requirements.
Alongside Vietnam, the swimming crab fisheries of Indonesia and Sri Lanka were also granted comparability findings. In contrast, the Philippines did not receive comparability recognition for its related swimming crab fisheries. As a result, swimming crabs and products derived from those Philippine fisheries will no longer be allowed to enter the United States starting June 11, 2026 — 30 days after the notice publication date.
This means that Vietnamese swimming crab exports to the United States will no longer require a Certificate of Admissibility (COA) and can continue to enter the market under normal procedures as before. However, businesses should note that if imported raw materials are used, they must not source materials from fisheries that are banned or not recognized as comparable in the exporting country. If materials are sourced from other fisheries, the corresponding COA from that country will still be required.
According to NOAA Fisheries, the comparability finding granted to Vietnam will remain valid until December 31, 2029. However, NOAA also noted that the finding may be reconsidered or revoked if Vietnam’s management program no longer meets the applicable requirements. NOAA recommended that Vietnam continue maintaining and strengthening efforts to minimize the risk of mortality and serious injury to marine mammals, including the development of observer programs, electronic monitoring systems, and conservation measures for species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Recognition by the United States helps Vietnam’s swimming crab industry maintain access to an important export market while creating more room for stable exports in the coming years. Nevertheless, MMPA requirements also demonstrate that sustainable fishing practices, fisheries monitoring, and marine mammal protection will increasingly become critical conditions for Vietnam’s seafood sector to maintain its competitive position in the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached approximately $148 million, up 12% compared to the same period in 2025. In September 2026 alone, export turnover to this market hit $18 million, a 27% year-on-year increase. Despite diverging demand across member states, the EU remains a market with growth potential for Vietnamese pangasius, particularly as supplies of several traditional whitefish species face mounting pressure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US are showing a clear recovery after a difficult start to the year. However, the rebound is taking place against a backdrop of declining US tuna imports and a shifting supply structure, posing new challenges for Vietnamese businesses.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached US$440.9 million, up 6.4% year on year. This result is noteworthy as Japan’s total shrimp imports continued to decline slightly and competition among suppliers intensified. Demand for convenience foods and processed products continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese exporters, but capitalizing on these opportunities requires stronger competitiveness and the ability to meet increasingly specific market requirements.
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
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