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) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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