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) 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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