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) More than five years after the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) took effect, Vietnamese seafood is steadily expanding its market share in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s major seafood import markets with stable and diverse consumer demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At Van Hung Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, the Khanh Hoa Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Aquaculture Research Center and the Van Hung Public Service Center, organized a technical training course on the industrial-scale production of disease-free golden pompano (Trachinotus falcatus) seed for local marine fish farmers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports maintained a strong recovery in the first five months of 2026, reaching more than USD 302 million, up 17% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was primarily driven by Asian markets, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China, while exports to the United States and the European Union continued to face headwinds from cautious consumer demand and increasingly stringent compliance requirements.
Vietnamese seafood giant Minh Phu Group has inaugurated a VND1.5 trillion (US$57.4 million) seafood processing plant in Ca Mau Province.
(vasep.com.vn) From 19–21 August 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability", Vietfish 2026 continues to serve as Vietnam's flagship annual seafood event, bringing together seafood producers, exporters, importers, buyers, industry experts, government agencies, and stakeholders from across the domestic and global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in May 2026, reaching USD 14 million, up 18% compared with the same month last year. Cumulative export value for the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 62 million, representing a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s strong recovery in international markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 367 million in the first five months of 2026, down 7% compared to the same period in 2025. While the decline is not yet severe, the more concerning issue is that pressure is mounting in key markets such as the United States and the European Union, just as ocean freight rates are rising sharply on long-haul routes. The current situation is therefore not merely about slower orders, but rather a clear restructuring phase for Vietnam’s tuna industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
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