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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 27, the Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and businesses from both countries, organized the online seminar “Vietnam–India Seafood Trade Forum and Supply-Demand Connectivity 2026.” The event aimed to promote trade cooperation, investment, and seafood supply chain connectivity between Vietnam and India amid the ongoing restructuring of global markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In recent years, Ninh Binh Province has intensified the application of science and technology in aquaculture in order to improve productivity, product quality, and economic efficiency.
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