In particular, shrimp exports rose by 8.5%; pangasius up 5.6%; other finfish up 16.6%; crabs and other crustaceans up 16.5%. However, marine products like tuna, cephalopod were on a downward trend. In which, tuna export fell by 4%; cephalopod downed nearly 7%. The total seafood exports in Jan-Feb 2016 reached US$915.6 million, an increase of 7.2% over Jan-Feb last year.
Shrimp
In the first 2 months of 2016, the total shrimp exports of Vietnam hit US$378.4 million, up 8.5% year on year. Shrimp exports to some markets reported a slight fall (the EU: -1.8%; Japan: -2.4%; Korea -0.6%, Canada: -17.3%), the sales to some markets showed a significant climb (the U.S.: +24.8%; China - Hong Kong: +36.5%). In the period, the U.S. remained its position as the biggest shrimp importer of Vietnam, while China - Hong Kong (with the revenue of US$64.8 million, accounting for 17.1% of total Vietnam exports) emerged to the 2nd from the 4th place among top 5 largest importers (the U.S., Japan, EU, China - Hong Kong and South Korea) of Vietnam shrimp.
In Sep 2015, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued the final results of the ninth anti-dumping duty administrative reviews (POR9) on frozen shrimp imported from Vietnam (from Feb, 1st 2013 to Jan, 31st 2014). Accordingly, the average tax duty (0.91%) decreased from the preliminary results issued in Mar 2015 (0.93%) and downed sharply from 6.37% from POR8. Thanks to this result, Vietnam shrimp exporters expected shrimp sales to the U.S. to be on the upward trend. However, Vietnam shrimp exports to the U.S. in 2015 was down 25.3% compared to 2014. In Jan-Feb 2016, shrimp exports to the U.S. began to increase compared to the same period last year.
Pangasius
Vietnam pangasius exports in the first 2 months of 2016 reached US$237.35 million, up 5.6% from the same period last year. Pangasius exports to major markets were on the rise: the U.S. up 14.7%; the EU with 0.4%; China - Hong Kong with 32.6%; ASEAN with 9.8% and Brazil with 642.7% over the same period of 2015. Currently, the Vietnam pangasius exports to the U.S. (accounting for 23.6% of total exports) are not affected by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) catfish inspection program. There are 45 processing plants of Vietnam eligible to export to the U.S as announced by the USDA. Pangasius exporters are waiting for the final results POR11 (from Aug, 1st 2013 to Jul, 31st 2014) from the DOC. If the anti-dumping duties are higher, Vietnam pangasius exports to the U.S. are predicted to continue the fall.
Marine products
Marine product exports of Vietnam in Jan-Feb 2016 reached nearly US$299.9 million, up 7% compared Jan-Feb 2015. Other marine finfish exports (excluding tuna) touched US$155.6 million, up 16.6%; crabs and other crustaceans with US$18.3 million, up 16.5% over Jan-Feb 2015. Meanwhile, Vietnam tuna exports decreased by 4.8%, hit US$60.7 million, in which processed tuna (HS code 16) down 24% over the same period last year. Vietnam tuna exports to some major markets decreased: the US down 0.4%; the EU with 11.5%; ASEAN with 13.7%; Japan with 20% from the same period in 2015.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports exceeded $527 million in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. This growth is particularly notable given the strong baseline established in 2025, when export turnover for the same period reached $458 million, a 13% rise from 2024.
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