In Q1/2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 2.64 billion, up 14.4% year-on-year. Several key product groups recovered positively, while the export structure also showed clear shifts. Shrimp remained the largest export category, exceeding USD 1 billion and accounting for 40.4% of total export value. Pangasius reached nearly USD 514 million, up 16.8%. Squid, octopus, bivalve mollusks, crab, swimming crab, and other niche products also recorded solid growth. Notably, segments such as lobster, tilapia, scallops, and oysters grew strongly, indicating room for expansion in high-value products and the industry’s ability to respond quickly to market demand. By contrast, tuna continued to face difficulties, reflecting weaker demand in several key markets and growing pressure from fishing, traceability, and compliance regulations.
The market landscape in the first quarter also showed notable movements. China and Hong Kong continued to be the strongest growth driver, with export value exceeding USD 744 million, up 49%, particularly in fresh, live, and high-value products such as lobster, live crab, and some marine fish. Japan remained a stable market, although growth was modest. ASEAN and CPTPP markets continued to offer opportunities thanks to tariff advantages and demand for flexible, reasonably priced products. Meanwhile, exports to the US fell by 7.4%, and exports to the EU increased only slightly, reflecting the impact of policy factors, cautious consumer sentiment, and growing competitive pressure.
In 2026, opportunities remain for Vietnam’s seafood industry, but they are conditional opportunities. Global seafood demand generally persists, especially in highly import-dependent markets such as the US, EU, Japan, and China. Opportunities also come from the restructuring of global consumption, as buyers increasingly prefer processed, convenient, high-utility products with clear origin. Free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and UKVFTA continue to create room for Vietnamese enterprises to improve competitiveness if they effectively utilize rules of origin, tariff preferences, and market requirements. At the same time, supply shortages in certain regions, particularly for whitefish, mollusks, and some high-quality seafood products, are creating additional space for Vietnamese seafood to expand market share.
However, competitive pressure is becoming increasingly fierce from major suppliers such as Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Canada, especially in product groups where Vietnam has strengths, including shrimp, whitefish, and high-value seafood. A second major challenge is the growing density of technical, trade, and environmental barriers: US anti-dumping duties on shrimp, MMPA regulations, COA requirements, import traceability programs, the EU’s new electronic catch certification system, and the fact that Vietnam’s IUU yellow card has not yet been lifted. A third challenge comes from consumer markets themselves: buyers in the US, EU, and Japan are becoming more price-sensitive while also demanding higher standards for quality, convenience, environmental responsibility, and social compliance.
In this context, VASEP publishes the Report ON Vietnam seafood export, Q1/2026 to provide a comprehensive, updated, and systematic overview of the industry’s export performance in the first quarter. The report also offers in-depth analysis by product group, market, competitive trends, opportunities, challenges, and outlook for the coming quarters. We hope this report will serve as a useful reference for businesses, regulators, research institutions, and domestic and international partners in policymaking, business strategy development, and the promotion of sustainable growth for Vietnam’s seafood industry in a period of deeper integration, stronger competition, and higher demand for adaptability.
For registration information, please contact: Ms. Hai Yen Email: nguyenyen@vasep.com.vn Mobile: +84 8 5858 2626
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
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