In the first two months of the year, Vietnam's seafood export activities were significantly affected by rising production costs and shortage of ships, lack of containers and skyrocketing freight charges, especially shipping to the US and EU. Meanwhile, the logistic problems created congestion at China's main importing ports, along with the tight control of the corona virus in imported seafood into this market, making the export of seafood from Vietnam more difficult. The situation in the Chinese market tended to improve from mid-March, so seafood exports in March had better results.
After increasing by 16% in January, shrimp exports decreased by 19% in February, then in March recovered with an increase of about 10% to reach about 270 million USD. By the end of quarter I/2021, Vietnam shrimp exports was estimated at 646 USD million, up by nearly 3% over the same period in 2020. Shrimp exports to the US, EU, China and some other markets all decreased over the same period, except for some CPTPP member countries that tend to increase shrimp imports as well as other seafood products of Vietnam.
Similar to shrimp, Vietnam pangasius exports to the US and some CPTPP markets such as Mexico, Australia, and Canada increased, but to China decreased sharply, and to the EU decreased slightly in the first 2 months of the year. With the improvement of logistics in China, the export of pangasius as well as shrimp to China tended to be more positive since March. Therefore, after decreasing by 5.5% in the first 2 months of the year, pangasius export in March increased by 11% to 137 million USD. By the end of the first quarter of 2021, pangasius exports reached $336 million, a slight increase of 0.6% over the same period in 2020.
Among marine products, cephalopod and other products processed from marine fish (surimi, canned fish, dried fish ...) have positive export signals. In particular, the exports of cephalopod to the European market is recovering well, partly thanks to tariff preferences from EVFTA, while exports to South Korea have decreased slightly. Cephalopod exports in the first 2 months increased slightly by nearly 2% and continued to increase by 8% in March to reach 45 million USD, bringing the first 3 months' export result to 112 million USD.
However, tuna exports in the first 2 months decreased by 10% and saw drops in most markets, except for Italy and Canada, which increased strongly by 129% and 36% respectively compared to the same period in 2020. Exports in March increased by 5%, reaching 55 million USD, bringing the result in the first 3 months of the year to 140 million USD, down by 11% compared to the first quarter of 2020.
The Covid epidemic is still serious in many traditional markets of Vietnam, reducing the demand for some key seafood products but at the same time creating opportunities for product lines with long shelf life, suitable prices for economic downturn in countries. Therefore, the export of seafood products in the dried forms, canned, fish cakes, surimi segments tends to increase, contributing to a bright and optimistic picture of seafood exports in the first quarter and the following quarters.
It is forecasted that seafood exports to China in April and the upcoming months will recover stronger, as the country gradually resolves trade congestion at seaports and loosens covid control measures on imported products, especially frozen seafood. Shrimp and pangasius exports to China will grow again. The US market will still have a positive impact on Vietnam's seafood export results in the upcoming months, maintaining positive growth as in 2020 and the first months of the year. Shrimp exports to this market may not maintain a strong growth as last year, but pangasius exports are showing a better trend. However, the problem of high freight charges to Europe and America will continue to dominate seafood exports to these markets. Therefore, exports to the EU in general will not be able to strongly recover in the next month.
According to current market situation, Vietnam's seafood exports in April are forecasted to increase by about 10% to reach $680 million. As the result, total seafood exports in the first four months of 2021 is estimated to reach $2.32 billion, up by nearly 4% compared with the same period in 2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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
