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) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(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.
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