In the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam's seafood exports to the Chinese market still decreased by 27% compared to the same period last year, reaching nearly 240 million USD. While exports in January and March experienced negative growth of 60% and 39% respectively, only exports in February showed positive growth of 24% .
The top 5 seafood products exported to China include pangasius, anchovies, white leg shrimp, black tiger shrimp, surimi and fishcake. Pangasius accounts for 55% of seafood exports to China, therefore, the decrease in pangasius exports to this market has largely affected general exports. Exports of white leg shrimp, fish cakes - surimi and many other products still fell deeply. However, dried anchovies are gaining great popularity in the Chinese market with an increase of 50% in the first quarter. Many other dried processed products such as yellow snapper and dried shrimp have strongly increased export value. In addition, black tiger shrimp is also recovering its export value to China with an increase of 46% over the same period.
March 2023: China's seafood imports increased by 58%
With more than 1 million tons of seafood imported in the first quarter of 2023, worthed more than 4.5 billion USD, China's import increased by 17% in volume and by 13% in value over the same period in 2022.
Only in the first month of 2023 the year, China's seafood imports decreased by 27% in volume and 19% in value compared to January 2022 because of the New Year holidays and the Lunar New Year. From February, imports started to increase sharply by 32% and 20% respectively.
March 2023 was the most breakthrough month of China's seafood imports with an increase of 58% in volume and 51% in value. This month alone, China imported 453,000 tons of seafood, worth over 1.8 billion USD.
Frozen seafood products imported into China accounted for 89% in volume and 67% in value, while fresh/raw/chilled products accounted for 7% and 28% respectively. Processed products accounted for only 2%.
China increased sharply seafood imports for the processing and export segment, accounting for 21% in volume and 12% in value. The volume of seafood imports for this segment increased by 70% over the same period last year.
China's seafood imports for domestic consumption accounted for 65% in volume and 82% in value, an increase of 16% and 13% respectively.
In terms of volume , China imports the most pollock with nearly 200,000 tons, followed by squid with nearly 94 thousand tons. For pangasius, in the first 3 months of 2023, China imported 45,000 tons with an average price of 2.18 USD/kg, down 7% compared to the same period in 2022.
Thus, seafood imports for domestic consumption have not recovered strongly, the average import price has decreased. Moreover, competitive pressure from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia are negatively affecting Vietnam's seafood exports to China.
However, Vietnamese seafood enterprises still expect that exports to China will soon recover because it is predicted that China's seafood consumption will explode in 2023. 1.4 billion people were “liberated” from COVID lockdowns and eager to return to eating out. The Chinese have stockpiled between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion in "excess household savings" during the lockdown, so seafood spending is expected to increase in the next time.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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