Shrimp
As of Mar 2016, the export value of shrimp hit US$619.2 million, up 7.9% year on year. Of that, the sales of whiteleg shrimp gained US$353.9 million, up 4.1%; and exports of black tiger shrimp valued US$213.7 million, up 19.9% compared to the same period in 2015. In QI/2016, these results posted a year-on-year positive growth thanks to drops in shrimp production from some large suppliers (Ecuador, India, and Thailand) that were driven by the impacts of climate change, bad weather, and diseases.
Moreover, the anti-dumping duty in the POR9 announced in Sep 2015 was much lower than its in the POR8 and lower than the preliminary result announced in Mar 2016. Demand for shrimp in some major markets such as the U.S. and the EU also increased. It is expected that shrimp price will be up in the coming quarters.
Compared with some competitors in the region (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and India), shrimp prices of Vietnam (especially black tiger shrimp) get more competitive in the global market. In the late 2015, China lifted black tiger shrimp import ban from Vietnam, therefore, this facilitated exports to this market.
Pangasius
Through Mar 2016, pangasius exports valued US$365.4 million, a slight year-on-year increase of 2.4%. In QI/2016, the export value of pangasius to many major markets recorded the downward trend: the EU decreased by 6.8%; ASEAN with -0.4%; Mexico with -32.8%; Colombia with -20.3%; and Saudi Arabia with -11.8% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, the sales to the U.S. grew by 3.4%; China - Hong Kong with +48.2% and Brazil with +542.2% year on year. So far, pangasius exports to EU slowed down due to high requirements and lower prices. Pangasius exports to the U.S. in the coming quarters may continue the downward trend. Importing demand from some potential markets such as Mexico, Colombia, and ASEAN was unstable. Until now, China - Hong Kong and Brazil are two markets reporting the highest growth in importing Vietnam pangasius.
Tuna
In QI/2016, the export value of tuna touched US$98.5 million, down 5.5% compared to the same period of 2015. In particular, the sales to the 2 largest markets (the U.S. and the EU, accounting for 61.5% of the total value) decreased by 4.4% and 14.3% respectively year on year. Exports to some other main markets also posted a fall: Japan with -5.9%; Mexico with -52.7% and Canada with -42.5% compared to the same period of 2015. After the slump in 3 consecutive years, Japan was downgraded from the 3rd rank to the 5th rank in the top 10 largest tuna importers of Vietnam (behind the U.S., the EU, ASEAN, and Israel).
Other marine products
Export value of other types (except for HS code 0307 and 16) increased by 19.5%; mollusks (cuttlefish, octopus and bivalve mollusks) fell by 3.6%; crabs, and other crustaceans up 12.6% over the same period last year. The instability in sales of these items were driven by lack of raw materials, an intense competition with other seafood products in the global market.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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.
(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.
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