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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn