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) 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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