As a result, the third quarter's total seafood export turnover is just 12% lower than the third quarter of 2022, which is also the smallest decline in the year's first three quarters.
The overall export picture shows that main items such as shrimp, pangasius, and tuna all had a larger fall in export sales than other species during the first nine months of this year. Pangasius exports were the most affected (-31%), followed by shrimp (-26%), and tuna (-24%). Meanwhile, compared to the same period in 2022, cephalopod, crabs and shellfish declined by 10-18%, while other marine fish decreased by only 8%.
The group of three key products, including shrimp, pangasius and tuna, all showed more positive signs in the third quarter, with the highest export turnover and the lowest negative growth since the beginning of the year. After a decrease of 28% in the second quarter, in the third quarter, shrimp exports were only 13% lower than in the same period 2022. Meanwhile, pangasius sales were 12% lower, and tuna sales were down nearly 8%, compared to -41% and -31%, respectively, in the second quarter this year.
Exports of other marine fish products have the opposite trend: the deepest decrease in the third quarter (-15%), after increasing 2% in the first quarter and decreasing 9% in the second quarter. Lack of raw materials and problems related to control under IUU regulations can be one of the reasons why marine fish exports are more difficult.
The most encouraging evidence is that crab products (mostly swimming crab) saw a significant growth in export turnover in the third quarter, more than 1.5 times higher than in the second quarter and up 2% over the same period last year.
Seafood exports to major consumer markets such as the US, EU, China, and Korea all decreased by 17–34%, while exports to Japan decreased less (-13%). Among major market blocks, the Middle East has been considered an attractive destination for Vietnamese businesses in the last 2 years, in the face of war fluctuations, inflation, and the energy price crisis. In the third quarter, this market block alone had a positive growth in seafood imports from Vietnam, at 2% compared to the same period in 2022, and the cumulative first 9 months of the year also had the lowest decrease, down 8%. Exports to ASEAN and CPTPP markets decreased by 15% and 20%, respectively, over the same period.
The third quarter's seafood export results improved compared to the first months of the year, but there has not been a sufficient breakthrough to see a steady trend in the near future because the comparison of the first half of 2022 was at a low level after growing high in the first half of 2022.
The level of recovery in seafood export sales in the coming time depends largely on two main markets: the US and China. Both of these markets have positive signals in terms of demand. Orders from these two markets are recovering, but export prices are still lower than in the same period last year. For example, the average export price of frozen pangasius fillets to the US market in the first nine months of this year was continuously 25–40% lower than the same period in 2022. In addition to other white meat fish species such as cod, pollock, and tilapia, pangasius exports to the US will have to compete with the inventory by 2022. Experts predict that at least until 2024, the opportunity for recovery will be more manageable when the pressure on inventory is no longer large.
In terms of the Chinese market, not only Vietnam but many other exporting countries are looking forward to a steady recovery after COVID-19, particularly after the holidays this fall, when Chinese demand often spikes. Because many supplies target this market, the buying price of Chinese importers is low. However, as China bans Japanese seafood imports, this market remains a potential for Vietnamese exporters.
With the gradual recovery of markets, it is expected that Veitnam seafood exports in the fourth quarter will bring in about 2.4 billion USD, which is equivalent to the same period last year, bringing the export turnover for 2023 to 9 billion USD, which is 17% lower than the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(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.
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