The historical milestone of 11 billion USD for the seafood export industry in 2022 was mentioned many times by businesses, state management agencies and the media in the early days of 2023 with joy and pride. However, this successful result was thanks to the continuous growth in the first 3 quarters of the year, with a high rate of 34 -46% over 2021. In the fourth quarter, the export trend reversed to negative growth of more than 9% and fell deeply in all sectors due to the impact of inflation.
In January 2023, following the trend of the last quarter of the previous year plus the Lunar New Year holiday, seafood exports continued to decrease sharply. It is estimated that in the first month of the year, seafood exports decreased by 31%, reaching about 600 million USD. In which, pangasius decreased by 50%, shrimp decreased by 46%, tuna decreased by 32%, especially squid and octopus maintained a positive growth of 4% and other marine fish species increased by 6%.
Exports to major markets in January 2023 all decreased sharply, of which the US decreased by 56%, China - HK decreased by 55%, the EU decreased by 35%.
In the first months of the year, the picture of seafood exports can’t be brightened up, especially when the world economy is forecasted to experience a recession this year. However, seafood is still an essential food item, the demand can not drop too sharply. There will be adjustments in demand by product segment. Accordingly, the advantage will be more inclined to affordable-priced goods because it is suitable for low- or middle-income consumers, the group most affected by inflation.
According to economic experts, there are still many risks in 2023. The tension in Russia-Ukraine could increase, the possibility of a transatlantic trade war that could continue to affect seafood supplies in major markets. That context could also be an opportunity for Vietnamese seafood to increase supply to the US, China, and EU markets.
In addition, the opening of China gives great hope for a recovery in demand not only in this market but also in other markets around the world. The recovery will be more clear from the second quarter of 2023.
Besides, experts are optimistic about markets that are assessed to have economic growth this year such as Asia, the Middle East, etc.
In that context, seafood enterprises have to ensure financial health to maintain stable production and raw materials supply to speed up production when the consumption market recovers. Seafood businesses can take advantage of each sector in terms of supply and consumption market factors by capturing market information and forecasting.
The conditions for the Vietnamese business environment are also gradually improving in the direction of supporting more production and export. One outstanding news is the update of infrastructure and logistics for export production in the key Mekong Delta region. On the first day of the new year, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected key transport projects in the Mekong Delta and required that by 2026 the Mekong Delta must have 554 km of highways. This is good news for the economic development of the region, especially in the fisheries sector. This is also expected to be a driving force and a condition to promote seafood production and export in the coming time.
Right from the first days of the new year 2023, the exciting atmosphere of farmers, fishermen and many seafood enterprises has also shown optimism in the recovery of the consumption market as well as the stability of seafood exports. With that spirit, the seafood industry looks forward to the recovery of demand and increase of orders from the second quarter of 2023.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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