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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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