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 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
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