The Covid 19 pandemic affected the production and business activities of Vietnam fisheries industry, causing the decline in seafood exports in the first months of the year. Seafood exports saw the decline in China and South Korea in the first two months of the year. Since March 2020, the Covid outbreak happening in EU and US countries caused exports to these markets to be delayed. As a result, Vietnam seafood exports to the US may fall by 10% in May after falling by 11% in April. Exports to the EU may decrease by 21% in May after falling by 23% in April.
In the main markets of Vietnam seafood, in the past 2 months, Japan and China market still maintained positive growth in importing Vietnamese seafood. After the Covid pandemic was basically controlled in China, since March 2020, China's demand for seafood imports recovered, Vietnam's seafood exports to the market increased continuously: increased by 35% in April and continued to increase sharply by 20% in May. Meanwhile, seafood imports into Japan from Vietnam stabilized. The seafood import value from Vietnam into Japan increased continuously in the first months of the year. In May, exports to Japan increased by 9% after rising by 16% in April. It is expected that with this growth momentum, Japan will continue to be the largest importing market of Vietnam seafood this year and will offset the significant reduction in EU and US markets. By the end of May 2020, exports to China may only about fall by 2% compared to the same period last year, by the end of June, the exports to this market are forecast to be similar or slightly increase compared to the same period in 2019.
Most of the seafood products exported by Vietnam dropped, except for shrimp that maintained a growth rate of 6% in April and May, so in the first 5 months of this year, shrimp exports saw a positive growth of nearly 4% with nearly US$1.2 billion. Pangasius exports in May may recover gradually compared to April. However, pangasius exports in Jan-May 2020 estimated to reach nearly US$600 million, down 24% year on year.
Vietnam’s total marine products exports by the end of May 2020 are estimated to US$1.1 billion, down by over 4% YoY, in which tuna sales (-18%) and cephalopod (-19% ), other marine products may still increase slightly (other marine finfish may increase by nearly 5%).
It is forecast that seafood exports by Vietnam in the coming months will recover gradually because the EU market has started to open again from May, the demand will increase gradually in the coming months. However, the Covid epidemic is complicated in the US and some other countries, so it will continue to affect the global seafood trade including Vietnam.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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