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) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
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