According to experts, in 2021, the recovery in consumption demand in export markets will support the growth momentum of seafood products. With the expectation that countries will have better control of the epidemic, seafood consumption will strongly recover with the return of restaurants and schools that take a large proportion in distribution channels. At the same time, seafood traders will increase imports again thanks to their need for inventory in the second half of 2020 and in 2021. It is forecasted that Vietnam will continue to increase shrimp production in 2021, reaching about 730,000 tons, up by 4%. The stable supply of shrimp will be an advantage for Vietnamese shrimp exporters to continue increasing their share in markets.
In addition, shrimp exports to the EU market, which is accounting for 21% of the total value of Vietnamese shrimp exports, are expected to be actively supported by the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA), which has been put into effect since 1 August 2020. Then, import tax on frozen raw shrimp will immediately decrease to 0% when the Agreement comes into effect, while the tax for processed shrimp will be gradually reduced to 0% after 7 years of the Agreement's entry into force, specifically since January 1, 2027. The tax rate of 0% for raw shrimp will significantly boost the competitive advantage of this product in the EU market. Meanwhile, in 2021, the tax rate for processed shrimp will still be 7% - equal to the preferential tax rate GSP is currently getting. Therefore, Vietnam's processed shrimp products have not yet gained advantages from EVFTA. Besides the positive prospects, Vietnamese shrimp exporters will face risks if anti-dumping tax rates to the US market increases during the 14th administrative review period (POR14). However, analysts still expect Vietnamese shrimp products to continue receiving the 0% anti-dumping tax rate on the US market as demonstrated in the last review - POR 13. For pangasius, the production in Vietnam is also forecasted to continue to increase, while the output and export prices depend heavily on the purchasing power of consumers in the main consumption channels. Experts expect pangasius exports to recover, thanks to the gradually larger demand after a period of close down of estaurants, hotels and resorts since the COVID-19 epidemic in main export markets such as China, the US, EU, ... are getting into control. The advantages of lower selling price compared to substitute products and the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius businesses to increasingly focus on value-added processed products, fully meeting the conditions for food safety and hygiene, traceability will contribute to boosting the export value of Vietnamese pangasius by 2021. The price of raw fish is not affordable enough for people to expand the farming area, making the supply of pangasius difficult to expand in 3 – 6 coming months. With the expectation that demand will gradually improve with supply not expanding in time (farmers usually take 3 - 6 months from stocking to harvest fish), pangasius export price is expected to be more positive in 2021 with a 10% increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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