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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
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