After a decline of 18% in November, shrimp exports in December decreased by 21% year-on-year to $260 million. In 2022, the shrimp industry recorded a record of over $4.3 billion, of which whiteleg shrimp exports achieved 3.1 billion USD, black tiger shrimp exports brought nearly 570 million USD, lobster 278 million USD, the rest were river and other marine shrimp.
Pangasius exports brought in more than 2.4 billion USD, an increase of 52% compared to 2021. In December, pangasius exports also dropped sharply by 23% over the same period, reaching 166 million USD.
Although it also dropped 22% in December with sales of over $68 million, the tuna industry hit the $1 billion milestone for the first time. Cephalopod exports brought in 764 million USD, up 26% compared to 2021. Other fish products such as anchovies, scads, mackerel and marine fishes contributed a large amount of 2 billion USD in 2022, 22% higher than in 2021.
In December, although exports to most markets declined, exports to China & Hong Kong still increased by 17%, showing an optimistic signal about this market in the coming time. In 2022, the China-HK market brought in over $1.8 billion for Vietnam's seafood industry, an increase of 59% compared to 2021.
Exports to ASEAN countries still maintained a positive growth momentum of 27% in December. This market contributed $790 million to Vietnam's seafood exports in 2022.
Exports to the US dropped the most, 40% in December . In 2022, exports to this market reached over $2.1 billion, up 5% compared to 2021. Exports to the EU reached nearly $1.3 billion, up 20 %. Exports to this market decreased by 32%in December. Japan kept a stable level of imports of nearly 1.7 billion USD in December and the whole year as well, up 28%.
The CPTPP bloc contributes to Vietnam's seafood industry more than 2.8 billion USD in 2022, up 30% compared to 2021.
The world economic recession and inflation are causing the market's demand to decrease sharply. It is forecasted that exports in the first quarter of 2023 will not be able to keep the positive results like in 2022 and the market may recover in the second half of 2023. Therefore, in 2023, seafood exports may decrease slightly to about 10 billion USD.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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