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) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
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