In the first month of this year, exports have increased by 64% over the same period in 2023. After a continuous decline from the fourth quarter of 2022, exports from the fourth quarter of 2023 tended to be more positive and had a strong breakthrough in January, when the demand for goods for the Lunar New Year in many markets increased, especially in China and Asian countries. Part of it also caters to Vietnamese and Asian consumers in other markets.
After the Lunar New Year, normally demand levels off a bit, so exports to China do not increase as strongly as in January. However, Lent season has started, so the demand for seafood has returned in Western countries and many markets.
By the end of February, shrimp and tuna exports both increased by 37% over the same period, while pangasius exports increased by 15% and other fish increased by 8%. Particularly, cephalopod exports decreased slightly by 1%.
Shrimp exports have positive signals in many markets, such as China, the US, Japan, Canada, and Australia. In particular, in the Chinese market, demand is recovering well, while competitive exporter Ecuador is being warned about sulfite on shrimp, and the problem of increased freight due to the Red Sea tension also causes Ecuadorian shrimp imports to China to decline.
Ecuador, however, is more focused on the US and EU markets, so competitive pressure is greater in these markets.
Pangasius export prices to the US and EU both bottomed out in the last months of 2023 but recovered slightly in January, but export prices to China were still significantly lower than in previous years.
Inventory problems and oversupply are still affecting the consumption and import of main aquatic species such as shrimp, pangasius, etc.
Seafood exports are still in a difficult period because the IUU yellow card problem causes the procedures of catch certification and catch statement of seafood caught for export to the EU to be stalled. While lacking domestic raw materials, enterprises also face difficulties with imported materials because of IUU-related regulations.
In March and April 4, seafood enterprises will participate in the International Seafood Fairs in Boston, USA, and Barcelona, Spain, so expecting more positive results for their orders after these events.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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