The country's seafood output increased by nearly 60% from 4.6 million MT in 2008 to 7.3 million MT in 2017, the average annual growth was 5%. Of that, aquaculture production accounted for 53%, capture output made up 47%.
Aquaculture output increased by 57% from 2.4 million MT to 3.8 million MT, the average annual growth was 5%. Aquaculture activities were mainly in the Mekong Delta (accounting for 95% of total pangasius production and 80% of total shrimp production)
Compared with 10 years ago, the seafood export turnover doubled from US$4.5 billion in 2008 to US$9 billion in 2018 with the average annual growth rate of 7%.
Of that, aquaculture (including 2 main species of shrimp and pangasius) took up 65-70% of seafood export value.
Shrimp exports accounted for the largest share with the highest and most stable growth. After 10 years, shrimp export turnover increased by nearly 2.5 times from US$1.6 billion to nearly US$3.9 billion with the average annual growth of 9%. Shrimp exports tended to account for a larger proportion of total seafood exports: from 36% to 50%.
Pangasius export value increased by 50% from US$1.4 billion in 2008 to about US$2.2 billion in 2018 with the average annual growth of 4%. However, the proportion decreased from 32% to 21%.
Exports of marine products picked up 30- 35% of total seafood exports with the unstable growth. The export turnover doubled from US$1.4 billion in 2008 to nearly US$3 billion in 2018 with the average annual growth of 7.5%.
Seafood is the fifth largest export item behind telephone, textiles, electronics, and footwear. Seafood accounted for 4-5% of the total export value of the country.
The fisheries brings over 4 million jobs to people. In particular, the processing and seafood export sector brings jobs to about 300,000 workers.
Resolution No. 24/2008/NQ-CP on 28th October 2008, promulgating the Government's Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 7th plenum of the 10th Party Central Committee on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, including the Aquaculture Development Scheme until 2020, approved by Decision 332/QD-TTg dated on 3rd March 2011. Accordingly, by 2020, aquaculture output expected to reach 4.5 million MT on an area of 1.2 million hectares; the export turnover expected to hit US$5.0-5.5 billion, creating jobs for about 3.5 million people.
Thus, by 2018, Vietnam’s seafood exports have exceeded 51% of target. Based on the current situation and supply - demand in the country and world markets, Vietnam's seafood exports by 2020 forecasted to touch about US$11.5 billion, doubling the target in Decision No. 332/QD-TTg on 3rd March 2011.
(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) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
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