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
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached $3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth momentum is moderating and market divergece is becoming more pronounced, while the US and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global shrimp forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers place greater emphasis on quality, product specifications, supply consistency and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports continued to grow in August 2026, bringing total export value in the first eight months of the year to US$1.5 billion, up 10% year-on-year. August exports alone reached US$205 million, up 6%. However, market performance has become increasingly divergent, with China and Brazil posting positive growth while the U.S. continued to record a sharp decline.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached US$1.14 billion in August 2026, up 6.4% year on year, bringing the total for the first eight months to more than US$8.0 billion, an increase of 11.9%. Monthly export value remained above US$1 billion, but August growth was only around half the rate recorded cumulatively through the first eight months. This indicates that the eight-month result was supported significantly by stronger performance in earlier months, while market conditions are entering a less predictable period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius is attracting growing interest from Japanese seafood companies as prices of many traditional whitefish species remain high and supply becomes increasingly volatile. Notably, seafood group Kyokuyo has recently continued to feature pangasius among its priority products, highlighting its competitive pricing and stable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As Vietnam’s tilapia industry searches for new growth opportunities, venturing into brackish-water aquaculture could unlock a formidable competitive moat. Bypassing the volume-and-price bloodbath against established global heavyweights, Vietnam could differentiate itself through high-quality tilapia products tailored to specific farming conditions and value-added market segments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2026 is rapidly shaping up to be a formidable stress test for Vietnamese pangasius exports to the United States. While exports to alternative markets maintain a resilient growth trajectory, the U.S market has declined significantly. In the first eight months of the year, pangasius exports to the U.S fell by nearly 14% year-on-year, with August alone recording a decline of more than 50%. The trend shows that difficulties in the U.S. market are not driven solely by weak consumer demand, but also by multiple layers of trade barriers that are intensifying simultaneously, particularly additional import tariffs, anti-dumping duties and growing protectionism for the domestic catfish industry.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan are showing positive signals in 2026, indicating that the market is opening up greater opportunities for pangasius products, particularly processed and value-added products. In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan reached US$31 million, up 20% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached approximately US$5 million, up 30%.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
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