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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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