Up to now, Spain is still the leading country in Europe in terms of production, consumption, import, and export of frozen seafood. This is also the gateway and "big fish market" connecting many markets in this area.
In the first quarter of 2022, after more than 3 years of dismal pangasius exports to this market, the export value increased by 67.5%, reaching nearly $4.9 million. Up to now, Spain is the 4th largest export market in the EU for Vietnamese pangasius enterprises.
In the first three months of this year, there were about 20 Vietnamese pangasius enterprises exporting to Spain, the largest of which were C.P Vietnam Joint Stock Company (in Ben Tre), NAVICO, and HAPPY CORP.
Last month, Spain proposed sanctions against Russia after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine such as not importing white fish from Russia, and banning Russian fishing boats from docking in Spanish ports and ports of other member countries of EU.
Spain's move to "make it difficult for whitefish products" from Russia also poses many difficulties to their own businesses because many Russian and Spanish workers working on fishing boats in Russian waters have to unload goods outside of Spain and the EU.
The EU's whitefish fishing industry is also facing other difficulties such as fuel oil prices increasing by more than 7%, plus an increase of more than 100% over the last two years due to the pandemic; lack of cargo containers due to ships having to transport outside the war region.
Spain is the fishing center of Europe and is a large "market" in this area, so its trading in seafood products such as squid, octopus, shrimp, crab... (belonging to HS 0307 and 0306) is very dynamic. This country is also a major exporter and importer of seafood products in this region.
Currently, the whitefish importers of Spain and the EU are facing difficulties due to inflation and rising prices of seafood and aquafeed. Cod products and Russian Alaska pollock are in short supply. Therefore, at the upcoming Global Seafood Expo 2022 in Barcelona, Vietnamese pangasius enterprises look forward to having more orders from these importers. The EU in general and Spain, in particular, are considering solutions to solve the problem of food security, so it is possible to find more customers and sign new contracts.
Compiled by Minh Trang
Image source: Seafood Expo Global
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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