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) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
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