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) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
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