Vietnam seafood exports to the US and CPTPP countries increased sharply

Export potentials 07:59 03/03/2021 Lê Hằng
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Customs statistics, in January 2021, Vietnam's seafood exports reached over 606 million USD, up by 23.4% over the same period last year. One of the reasons for the increase in exports is the period of the Lunar New Year holiday coincided in January 2020. However, the 23.4% growth rate is considered a positive signal for Vietnam's seafood exports, which is reflected in the increase in export of pangasius (+ 21.7%), other marine fish (+ 46%), whiteleg shrimp (32.5%), and bivalve mollusk (+43%).

Vietnam seafood exports to US and CPTPP countries increased 

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

vietnams seafood exports pangasius other marine fish whiteleg shrimp and bivalve mollusk tuna export markets

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

VSS2026: The US$1.7 billion gap and Vietnam’s seafood growth challenge towards 2029

 |  17:41 10/11/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Nearly US$1.7 billion is the projected gap in 2029 between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which Vietnam’s seafood exports grow by 10% annually, according to calculations by VASEP to be presented at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026. This gap raises a key question for the entire industry: Which markets, products and supply chain improvements will generate the additional growth?

Vietnamese tuna bucks the import trend in Germany

 |  08:46 07/11/2026

(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.

VSS2026: Seafood exports top USD 10.4 billion in 10 months – how should seafood businesses prepare for 2027?

 |  08:26 05/11/2026

(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.

Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026: From market forecasts to answers for 2027–2029 growth

 |  17:17 31/10/2026

(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.

Vietnamese seafood affirms its position at the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo 2026

 |  12:42 29/10/2026

(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.

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to CPTPP grow strongly but remain small in scale

 |  08:09 28/10/2026

(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.

Five key questions facing the seafood industry to be discussed at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026

 |  14:58 22/10/2026

(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.

Vietnam’s shrimp exports face market volatility at year-end

 |  16:43 21/10/2026

(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.

Vietnam’s seafood industry in 2027–2029: Where will new growth opportunities come from?

 |  14:56 19/10/2026

(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.

Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the middle east recover, but growth remains uneven

 |  16:04 15/10/2026

(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 - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC