For the export markets, the results in January also showed positive signals: to the US (+ 25.6%), Russia (+ 72%), Taiwan (+ 60%). In particular, exports to countries in the CPTPP agreement increased by 34%, of which to Australia skyrocketed 105%, to Japan rose 25%, to Mexico advanced 68%.
Exports to other markets in January 2021 all increased compared to the same period in 2020, but the growths was not considered positive because last year the Lunar New Year was in January.
In January 2021, some exported products saw outstanding growths, such as frozen pangasius fillet (HS code 030462) increased by 53%, which was the leading product in terms of export value, by code HS8, accounting for 17% of total seafood export value. Next is processed whiteleg shrimp (PTO, PDTO, butterfly ...), up by 47% and accounting for 9% of export value; Headless fresh/ frozen whiteleg shrimp, block, PTO, PDTO (HS code 03061721) increased by 39% and accounted for 7.4%, fish cake, surimi (HS code 0304990) increased by 58% and accounted for 6.8%; Fresh/frozen peeled white leg shrimp (HS code 03061722) increased by 56% and accounted for 5.2%.
Many other products with high growth (41-84%) such as: Frozen octopus (cut/whole); Frozen fillet/ portion fish (mackerel, barramundi, marlin, swordfish, seabass, saba, kingfish ...); Processed fish, seasoned dried fish, breaded fish ...; Frozen squid, sliced cuttlefish; Other processed fish (dried fish, fried fish, fish cake, fish sauce ...); Canned tuna in water; canned tuna in oil; Frozen boiled white clams and brown clams; Frozen crab/crab meat, seasoned fish, grilled fish of all kinds (saba, scad ...) …
In particular, there are a number of Vietnamese seafood products that are highly demanded in the context of the Covid epidemic, so the export value in January 2021 had a breaking growths, in which the exports of frozen whole/cut/butterfly pangasius (HS code 03032400) shoots up by 163%, dried squid HS code 03074921 sharply rose 118%; dried fish of all kinds HS code 03055990 skyrocketed 226%; Pasteurized crab meat, canned crab meat HS code 16051090 soared 242% …
However, there are a number of products that still had a sharp decrease in exports such as processed breaded twhiteleg and black tiger shrimp HS code 16052930 decreased by 63%; Fresh/frozen whole tiger prawn HS code 03061719 down by 19%; Frozen whole whiteleg shrimp HS code 03061719 decreased by 33%. The decline of these products is attributed to the decreased demand for high value processed products and is related to the tightening control and inspection on frozen goods imported into the Chinese market as this is the main market consuming Vietnam frozen whole shrimp products.
|
Vietnam exported seafood products in Jan 2021 (million USD) |
|||
|
Products |
Dec 2020 (Value) |
Jan 2021 |
Change vs 2020 (%) |
|
Shrimp (HS code 03 and 16) |
295.544 |
218.796 |
15.8 |
|
in which: - Whiteleg shrimp |
223.276 |
170.417 |
32.5 |
|
- Black tiger shrimp |
42.849 |
22.342 |
-38.7 |
|
Pangasius (HS code 03 and 16) |
135.119 |
123.566 |
21.7 |
|
Tuna (HS code 03 and 16) |
54.418 |
42.303 |
6.3 |
|
in which: - Tuna HS code 16 |
26.841 |
16.687 |
-3.3 |
|
- Tuna HS code 03 |
27.577 |
25.616 |
13.7 |
|
Other fish (HS code 0301 to 0305 and 1604, except for tuna and pangasius) |
160.559 |
154.374 |
46.2 |
|
Mollusks (HS code 0307 and 16) |
66.733 |
54.403 |
26.2 |
|
in which: - Cephalopod |
54.855 |
43.770 |
19.9 |
|
- Bivalve mollusks |
11.249 |
9.231 |
43.3 |
|
Crabs and other crustaceans (HS code 03 and 16) |
18.707 |
12.807 |
3.4 |
|
Total |
731.080 |
606.248 |
23.4 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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