This growth reflects the recovery of demand in many major markets, particularly in Asia and CPTPP member countries. At the same time, Vietnamese companies’ strategies of expanding into niche markets and tapping non-traditional markets are proving effective.
Asia continues to play a leading role
South Korea remains the largest market with $42 million in exports, up 26% year-on-year. However, in June, exports to this market fell slightly compared to May, indicating a period of demand adjustment following the strong performance in the first and second quarters.
Thailand recorded $39 million, up 28%, continuing to serve as an ASEAN hub for surimi processing and re-export.
China & Hong Kong achieved the highest growth at 49%, reaching $22 million. This is the result of China imports for processing raw materials due to domestic supply shortages.
CPTPP and Japan see steady recovery
Exports to CPTPP member countries hit nearly $26 million, up 19%, driven by the recovery of orders from Japan (24% growth), Malaysia (6%) and Canada (21%). This is a positive signal showing that tariff preferences under the CPTPP agreement continue to help maintain the competitive advantage of Vietnamese seafood in these markets.
EU market shows strong but uneven growth
Total exports to the EU reached $13 million, up 3%, largely driven by Lithuania ($11 million, up 45%). Some smaller markets saw sudden growth compared to the same period such as Spain (840% growth, under $1 million) and Belgium (156%). Meanwhile, exports to France and Italy are still declining, but the rate of decline is slowing.
The U.S market slows down
Exports to the U.S in the first half of 2025 reached $6 million, up 15% year-on-year. However, in June alone, they fell sharply by 35.4% compared to the previous month. This decline raises concerns that the US may be adjusting its import policies or shifting orders to other suppliers, particularly as countervailing duties and subsidy investigations expand in the seafood sector.
Expanding exports to niche markets
Many small or emerging export markets for Vietnamese fish cakes and surimi are posting triple-digit growth rates, such as the UAE (up 470%), Mauritius (261%) and New Zealand (1,171%). This shows that there is still considerable market potential if businesses focus on products tailored to the preferences of each market.
However, the scale of these markets remains small and insufficient to offset losses if exports to large markets like the US or EU encounter obstacles.
While current growth is positive, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports will face several challenges in the second half of the year. First, price competition from regional rivals such as India, Thailand and China. Secondly, logistics and raw material costs are expected to rise from Q3. Third, changing consumer preferences in developed countries, particularly declining consumption of ready-to-eat frozen products in the US and Europe.
If the current export momentum is maintained and strategies are adjusted flexibly, total fish cake and surimi export revenue in 2025 is forecast to continue growing. However, this is the optimistic scenario, which largely depends on trade policy developments in major markets, especially the US.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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