In September, a number of key products regained balance compared to the same period last year. In particular, shrimp and tuna exports in September were equivalent to September 2022. Notably, the recovery of pangasius products with a positive growth rate of 9% compared to the same period last year. Exports of other products such as squid, octopus, crabs, and shellfish are still lower than the same period, but the decrease is only 6-12%.
By the end of September 2023, shrimp exports reached 2.55 billion USD, still 25% lower than the same period in 2022. However, export results in recent months have shown signs of recovery compared to previous months. The two main markets, the US and China, have begun to increase demand and exports to these two powers have both recorded positive growth in the past 2 months. Some main markets in the CPTPP bloc such as Japan, Australia, and Canada are also increasing shrimp imports from Vietnam.
Pangasius exports recorded revenue of nearly 1.4 billion USD by the end of September 2023, down 31% compared to the same period in 2022. Pangasius exports are tending to gradually recover in the markets of China, Mexico, and Brazil, Netherlands, UK and US... In September 2023, exports to some markets have regained balance or recorded growth compared to the same period in 2022.
Similar to shrimp, tuna exports also tend to improve, with sales in September equal to the same period in 2022. However, the continuous decline in the early part of the year caused the cumulative nine months of tuna exports to still decrease by 23%. reached 623 million USD.
By the end of September 2023, exports to the top 3 largest markets, the US, China and Japan, all exceeded the 1 billion USD mark. In particular, the US still holds the number 1 position with nearly 1.2 billion USD, 33% lower than the same period in 2022. The China - HK market has brought Vietnamese seafood 1.15 billion USD in first 3 quarters of the year, down 15%, while Japan imported seafood from Vietnam with a value of nearly 1.1 billion USD, down 14% over the same period last year.
In September alone, seafood exports to the US, China, and the EU all recovered, increasing from 4-17% over the same period in 2022. Exports to Japan were more or less mixed in September, so it was still 15% lower compared to September 2022.
The market is showing better signs, especially in the fourth quarter, so if there are no other changes, and raw material sources do not decline sharply, it is forecast that Vietnam's seafood exports in 2023 will bring in sales of about 9.2 – 9.3 billion USD.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna exports in the first month of 2026 reached over USD 75 million, up 13% compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, exports increased in most key markets such as Japan, the EU, and Russia, while exports to the United States fell by 6%—a contrasting development amid ongoing adjustments in U.S. import tariff policies and new compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which took effect at the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
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