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) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) More than five years after the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) took effect, Vietnamese seafood is steadily expanding its market share in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s major seafood import markets with stable and diverse consumer demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At Van Hung Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, the Khanh Hoa Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Aquaculture Research Center and the Van Hung Public Service Center, organized a technical training course on the industrial-scale production of disease-free golden pompano (Trachinotus falcatus) seed for local marine fish farmers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports maintained a strong recovery in the first five months of 2026, reaching more than USD 302 million, up 17% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was primarily driven by Asian markets, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China, while exports to the United States and the European Union continued to face headwinds from cautious consumer demand and increasingly stringent compliance requirements.
Vietnamese seafood giant Minh Phu Group has inaugurated a VND1.5 trillion (US$57.4 million) seafood processing plant in Ca Mau Province.
(vasep.com.vn) From 19–21 August 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability", Vietfish 2026 continues to serve as Vietnam's flagship annual seafood event, bringing together seafood producers, exporters, importers, buyers, industry experts, government agencies, and stakeholders from across the domestic and global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in May 2026, reaching USD 14 million, up 18% compared with the same month last year. Cumulative export value for the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 62 million, representing a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s strong recovery in international markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 367 million in the first five months of 2026, down 7% compared to the same period in 2025. While the decline is not yet severe, the more concerning issue is that pressure is mounting in key markets such as the United States and the European Union, just as ocean freight rates are rising sharply on long-haul routes. The current situation is therefore not merely about slower orders, but rather a clear restructuring phase for Vietnam’s tuna industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
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