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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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