Shrimp exports accounted for the highest proportion, 52.5% of the total seafood turnover to the EU with US$256 million, up 27% over the same period last year. Of which, whiteleg shrimp alone is over 205 million USD, up 31%, black tiger shrimp exports reach 36.5 million USD, up 15%, the rest are marine shrimp and lobster.
While the EU market is recovering in demand, exports of Vietnamese seafood products to the market have increased, while pangasius exports are still 18% lower than the same period , reaching nearly 58 million USD, accounting for less than 12% of seafood exports to Vietnam to EU. Exports of crabs and other crustaceans to the EU also halved to under $2.5 million, mainly swimming crab exports, down 44%.
Exporting squid, octopus, clams, tuna and other marine fish to the EU market in the first half of the year brought much better turnover compared to the same period last year. In which squid increased by 56% to nearly 21 million USD, octopus increased by 33% to 5.5 million USD. Clam exports to the EU increased sharply by 45% to USD 33 million, which is also an important commodity exported to the EU, accounting for 7%.
Tuna is the second largest export value to the EU with over $74 million, up 31%, accounting for over 15%. Exports of other marine fish to the EU only accounted for 7% with about US$33 million, up 21%. In which, mainly cod with nearly 5 million USD, which is processed product from materials imported from other countries. Other products made from marine fish include surimi (doubled to 4 million USD), sailfish...
Limited sources of marine fish raw materials, along with regulations on certification and verification of caught materials according to IUU regulations of Vietnam. EU, making it more difficult for marine fish to be exported to the EU.
In the farmed fish group, in addition to pangasius, Vietnamese enterprises also increased the export of other freshwater fish such as catfish and tilapia with a value of about 4 million USD, an increase of over 60% over the same period last year.
The EU is currently the fourth largest seafood export market of Vietnam, after the US, Japan and China, accounting for over 11%. In which, the dominant markets in this block are the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, which are the main markets for Vietnam's shrimp and tuna consumption.
The EU accounts for over 14% of Vietnam's shrimp exports, ranking third after the US and Japan. For tuna, the EU occupies 21%, behind the US. The EU only accounts for 7.4% of Vietnam's total pangasius exports. For clam exports alone, the EU occupies a "dominant" position with over 70% of Vietnam's exports.
The economies of EU countries are recovering thanks to positive changes following the Covid-19 vaccination program and post-Covid support packages. The demand for seafood imports from the EU market started to increase sharply from March 2021 and is expected to continue to prosper in the second half of the year.
With the current Covid pandemic situation and the IUU yellow card problem, Vientam's seafood exports to the EU in the second half of the year could not maintain the same growth as the first half of the year. It is estimated that seafood exports to the EU in the second half of the year will reach about 600 million USD, up 8% over the same period, bringing the full year export result to 1,087 billion USD, up 13% compared to 2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
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