By October 2022, shrimp exports reached nearly $3.8 billion, up 18%. Shrimp exports in 2022 are expected to reach over $4.4 billion, up 14% compared to 2021. The main export shrimp products are vannamei shrimp, accounting for 75% with over $3.2 billion, black tiger shrimp accounting for about 13% with nearly 1.5 billion USD.
In 2022, inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have helped affordable white fish such as pangasius increase export sales. Most markets have increased by 40-200% of Vietnam's pangasius imports.
Pangasius exports by the end of October 2022 reached nearly 2.1 billion USD, up 77% compared to the same period in 2021. It is expected that in 2022, pangasius exports will reach over 2.4 billion USD, up 49% compared to the same period in 2021.
Tuna exports by the end of October were estimated at US$884 million, up 49% over the same period. In 2022, for the first time, tuna will become an export commodity of over 1 billion USD.
Taking advantage of domestic and imported raw materials, tuna businesses process a variety of products and promote the export of frozen loin/fille and canned tuna and flexibly follow market trends in the current period (Covid, inflation, etc).
As of October 2022, exported cephalopod products have achieved sales of 630million USD, up 33%. It is estimated that in 2022, the export of this product will reach 760 million USD, up 25% compared to 2021.
By the end of November, Vietnam's seafood exports are expected to reach more than 10 billion USD - a historical record of Vietnam's seafood industry in more than 20 years.
The seafood industry in 2022 is estimated to account for 3% of Vietnam's total merchandise exports. Compared to the total export turnover of other economic sectors, the fisheries sector contributes nearly 12% of the value. While the proportion of the group of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in general is decreasing by 0.6% points, the aquatic products industry has increased by 0.4% points. This result reflects a breakthrough and the increasingly important role of the fishery industry in the GDP of the whole country, especially in the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.
On the world seafood export map, Vietnam is currently the third largest exporting country, just behind China and Norway - two superpowers with a much larger land and water surface area than Vietnam. With the results of 2022, it is estimated that Vietnamese seafood will account for over 7% market share in the world market.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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