By the end of the first half of this year, Vietnam's seafood exports are estimated at nearly 5.8 billion USD, up 40% compared to the first half of 2021.
Lacking raw materials for export processing, shrimp export sales in June 2022 only maintained a modest growth of 7%, equals $450 million. Accumulated for the first half of 2022, Vietnam shrimp exports reached 2.3 billion USD, up by 33% over the same period and accounting for 40% of total seafood exports. Price inflation and shortage of raw materials are difficult problems for shrimp enterprises in the current period. Small-sized fresh/frozen vannamei is still favoured during this inflationary crisis. However, some enterprises also choose to increase the proportion of value-added processed shrimp to export to markets such as Japan, the US, and the EU to overcome the scarcity of raw materials. Export of processed vannamei in the first half of the year increased by 17%, while that of fresh/frozen shrimp increased by 21%. It is worth noticing that Vietnam lobster exports grew a record with nearly 130 million USD in the first half of the year, a leap of 30 times year-on-year. Despite inflation, the export of black tiger shrimp in the first half of the year still increased by 20% to over 300 million USD.
Higher inflation accompanied with the war between Russia and Ukraine are opportunities for pangasius in 2022. The shortage of white fish, especially cod, in the EU, US, and UK markets due to sanctions against Russia had forced many restaurants in markets to remove cod from their menu. For that reason, Vientam pangasius has the opportunity to gain market share in these markets. Pangasius exports to the UK in the first half of this year increased by 6 times compared to the same period last year, exports to Spain nearly tripled, and to France, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all increased by 45% - 90%. In the first half of this year, the country's pangasius exports reached over $1.4 billion, up 83% over the same period last year and accounted for a quarter of seafood export sales. In June 2022, pangasius exports still maintained a high growth rate of 54% over the same period, reaching nearly 220 million USD.
Vietnam tuna exports in June reached over US$91 million, up 43%. Total tuna exports in the first half of the year increased by 56% to US$553 million, accounting for nearly 10% of seafood exports. The main product is still frozen tuna loin/fillet, bringing in 377 million USD, up 122%. More than half of Vietnam tuna export values from the US market which has high consumption and high growth. While tuna exports to the US nearly doubled, exports to the EU only increased by 9%, a much more modest increase, mainly thanks to the increase in average export prices. The IUU yellow card is still narrowing the export of tuna as well as wild- caught marine products to this market.
Export of cephalopod in June 2022 reached over $68 million, up 34% over the same period. By the end of the first half of the year, cephalopod products brought in a turnover of 344 million USD, up 29% over the same period last year, accounting for 6% of seafood export sales. In which, squid exports reached 197 million USD, up 45%, octopus exports reached 147 million USD, up 12%.
Exports of mollusk shells, crabs and other fish in the first six months of this year all grew by 11-54% over the same period.
Compiled by My Hanh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
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