Shrimps still account for the highest proportion in the product category exported to the EU of 54% (303 million USD), a leap of 51% over the same period in 2021. In which, imports of vannamei increased by 46% with 236 million USD, making up 78%. Imports of Vietnamese black tiger shrimp into EU skyrocketed 75% to over USD 50 million, accounting for 16.5% of total shrimp exports to this block. The top 3 markets in the block include the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, recorded growth rates of 58-91% in Vietnamese shrimp imports in the first 5 months of 2022.
A positive sign is witnessed in pangasius exports to the EU this year, which rebounded strongly with an increase of 89% in the first 5 months, reaching nearly $89 million, accounting for 16% of seafood export value to this block. This is a remarkable change compared to 10% in 2021. In which, pangasius exports to the Netherlands increased by 80%, to Germany by 89%, to Spain by 90%, to Belgium by 104% ... Frozen pangasius fillets portion cuts (HS code 0304) accounted for 93% with 82.5 million USD, up by 93% year-on-year, whole fish exports accounted for nearly 5%, the rest was processed pangasius accounted for 2%.
Tuna exports accounted for 12% of total seafood exports to EU, reaching US$68 million, an increase of 9%. Tuna exports to the Netherlands and Belgium increased sharply by 59%, 70% and 100%, respectively. The two main products are frozen tuna loin/fillet, taking up 63% and canned tuna for 25%. Exports of these two products to the EU increased by 77% and 14% respectively. Meanwhile, exports of other processed tuna and fresh/frozen tuna fell by 63% and 69% respectively, accounting for a total of 10% of tuna exports to the EU.
In the European market, there is an inclination towards consumption of sustainable and healthy seafood. Accordingly, Europeans increasingly prefer white fish products due to health-related factors, along with the increasing awareness of environment and seafood resources protection, the opportunity for imported farmed fish is getting greater. Besides that, the demand for sustainable and organic seafood is also increasing; Sales of seafood in the retail market increased due to COVID-19; Europe has a growing market for convenience and ready-to-eat products
Requirements for products with sustainability certification will increase in Europe. Consumers are increasingly concerning of seafood traceability and sustainable, safe and fair production methods. As EU is a difficult market, SPS and TBT regulations will be increasingly tightened, especially when environmental and labor regulations will be given more attention and stricter inspection in the criteria of imported seafood products.
Compiled by My Hanh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
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