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) On February 4, a working delegation led by the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology) met with the Management Board of Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to comprehensively review the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), assess signal connectivity, and evaluate the effectiveness of information technology applications in fisheries management across the city.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for China’s lobster market, with total imports reaching a record high and the supply structure undergoing major changes. Amid this surge, Vietnam’s lobster exports—especially green lobster—accelerated dramatically, reaching new highs and contributing substantially to Vietnam’s overall record shrimp export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a range of synchronized solutions, from institutional improvements and strengthened communication to strict fleet control, Quang Ninh is stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in soon having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 closed with a remarkable milestone for Vietnam’s shrimp industry. According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s total shrimp export turnover in 2025 reached USD 4.6 billion, up 19% compared to 2024 and the highest level ever recorded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the 2026–2030 period, Quang Tri province aims to convert 771 fishing vessels currently engaged in activities detrimental to marine resources and the ecological environment to more environmentally friendly fishing practices or shift entirely to other economic sectors.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2025 recorded a breakthrough growth in Vietnam’s tilapia exports, in which the U.S market emerging as the primary growth driver. The total export turnover of Vietnamese tilapia to the United States reached $53.15 million during the year, surging 173% year-on-year and accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value, thereby making the U.S the largest import market for this commodity. Compared to 2024, tilapia exports to the U.S posted robust growth, reflecting the import demand as well as the ability of Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on market opportunities amidst volatile global competitive dynamics.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After two consecutive years of decline, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports rebounded in 2025. Export turnover of this product group exceeded USD 344 million, up 15% year-on-year compared with 2024 and 13% higher than 2023, although still below the peak level recorded in 2022.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry had left a strong mark with export turnover reaching nearly $11.3 billion, up 12.4% year-on-year. This robust performance reflects not only a rebound in global consumption demand but also the agile adaptation of domestic firms in navigating increasingly stringent trade barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
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