In the period, Vietnam seafood exports valued at US$4.43 billion, up 5.2% compared to the same period of 2015. In which, exports of shrimp increased by 5.8%; pangasius up 6%; tuna up 2.1%, other finfish up 8.3%; crabs and other crustaceans up 7.2%; while those of mollusks (including cephalopod and bivalve mollusks) decreased by 4.2% year on year. By the end of this year, total seafood exports expected to maintain the growth of 5-6%.
Shrimp exports rose
In the first 8 months of this year, Vietnam shrimp exports reached US$1.93 billion, up 5.8% compared to the same period of 2015. In particular, sales of black tiger shrimp slightly decreased by 0.5%; that of whiteleg shrimp increased by 10%.
Through Aug 2016, Vietnam shrimp exports to the U.S reached US$435.3 million; up 16.5% year on year. Vietnam’s shipments to the U.S remained the good growth thanks to an increase in demand, while other sellers to the market such as India, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Thailand had difficulties in their supplies of raw materials, which led to a rise in the export prices. Besides, the country also increased imports of black tiger shrimp while sources from India and Indonesia fell.
In Sep 2016, DOC announced the final result of POR10 that was 5 times higher than preliminary result. The DOC’s decision may affect to the shrimp sales from Vietnam to the U.S in the last quarter of 2016.
Vietnam shrimp sales to the EU reached US$372 million, up 7% year on year in which exports to the UK up 8.4%, the Netherlands up 29% and Germany up 2.1% year on year. Shrimp sales to the UK rose thanks to higher demand for warmwater shrimp in the market in the context of lower supply of coldwater shrimp.
Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan in Jan-Aug 2016 touched US$343.7 million, down 6.4% from the same period last year due to a weak yen and higher shrimp price. Through Jul and Aug 2016, the import price of shrimp into Japan rose despite a stronger yen as supplies declined and the global demand increased.
Up in Vietnam pangasius exports
In Jan-Aug this year, Vietnam pangasius exports gained US$1.08 billion, up 6% compared to the same period last year. In which, sales to the U.S and China showed the good signs during the period.
Exports to the U.S reached US$254.5 million, up 22.4% year on year. Exports to EU continued to fall in the second consecutive year. Through Aug 2016, shipments to EU amounted to US$177.3 million, down 7.9% year on year. Pangasius consumption in the EU since the end of 2014 up to now slowed down. Vietnam pangasius still had to toughly compete with some other whitefish products such as fish Alaska pollock in major markets such as the Netherlands, the UK, Spain or Germany.
In the period, exports to China hit US$171.9 million, up 72% compared to the same period last year. This was a rise in the second consecutive year.
Vietnam exports of marine products recovered
Vietnam tuna exports in Aug 2016 were up 10%; other marine finfish rose by nearly 15%; cephalopod went up 1.7%; bivalve mollusks grew by 4.4%; and crabs increased by nearly 61%.
As of Aug 2016, Vietnam tuna exports valued at US$309.8 million; up 2.1% year on year. Of that, exports of fresh/fresh/frozen tuna (HS code 03) continued to pick up the biggest share of 58.3%, up from 54.4% last year. Exports of processed tuna (HS code 16) accounted for 41.7%; down from 45.6% in the same period last year.
Top 8 importing markets of Vietnam tuna, including the U.S, EU, ASEAN, China, Israel, Japan, Canada, and Mexico made up 88.2% of Vietnam tuna exports.
In the period, exports of other finfish increased by 8.3%; crabs and other crustaceans up 7.2%, while those of mollusks (including cephalopod and bivalve mollusks) decreased by 4.2% compared to the same period last year.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn