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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(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.
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