According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total fishery production in May was estimated at 782.8 thousand tons, up 4.2% over the same period in 2020. Accumulated in the first 5 months, the total output seafood was estimated at 3.3 million tons, up 2.6% over the same period last year. In which, aquaculture production in May was estimated at 417 thousand tons, up 6.7% over the same period last year, bringing the accumulated output to approximately 1.7 million tons, up 3.7% over the same period last year. The fishing output in May was estimated at 365.8 thousand tons, up 1.5% over the same period last year, bringing the cumulative output of 5 months to over 1.6 million tons, increased by 1.4% over the same period in 2020.
Tuna catch decreased by 9% over the same period in 2020
In the first 5 months of 2021, although the weather at sea is relatively favorable, however, the catches of ocean tuna in different locations decreased slightly. The output of bigeye and yellowfin tuna of 30kg/head or more was estimated at 8,522 tons, down 9% over the same period in 2020. Of which, tuna catch in Phu Yen reached 1,819 tons, down 4%; in Binh Dinh was estimated at 5,493.9 tons, down 5.8%; in Khanh Hoa was estimated at 1,209 tons, up 15.1% over the same period in 2020.
Output of brackish water shrimp increased significantly
The output of brackish water shrimp in May was estimated at 81 thousand tons, up 0.2% over the same period last year, bringing the accumulated output in first 5 months of 2021 to 253.6 thousand tons, up 6% over the same period in 2020. Of which, the output of black tiger shrimp in 5 months is estimated at 85.8 thousand tons, up 1.6%; whiteleg shrimp production was estimated at 167.8 thousand tons, up 8.4% over the same period in 2020.
The production of whiteleg shrimp has escalated due to the shift to intensive farming and good disease control, meeting the needs of export and domestic consumption. In addition, this is the time of high harvest to supply raw materials for processing factories filling market orders .
For pangasius, the output in May was estimated at 117.3 thousand tons, up 1.2% over the same period last year, bringing the accumulated accumulation in the first 5 months to 523.9 thousand tons, up 2.8% compared to the same period last year. Some provinces have large pangasius farming areas in the first 5 months of the year with the output increased quite well, such as: Dong Thap reached 120.6 thousand tons; An Giang reached 196.9 thousand tons. Because the demand for importing pangasius products in some major markets such as China and markets in South America tends to increase slightly in the first months of the year, the price of raw pangasius is increasing compared to the same period last year. For the domestic market, the price of raw pangasius in the Mekong Delta provinces increased slightly by 200 VND/kg to 21,500 - 21,700 VND/kg for the fish of size 800g - 1.1kg/pc.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
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