GENERAL INFORMATION

In Vietnam, the fishery sector plays an important role in the national economy, accounting for about 4-5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 9-10% of national export revenue.

More than 4 millions of people working in the fishery and the growth in production have attributed to the fish exports. Thanks to strongly increase in many years, Vietnam ranks among the top ten seafood suppliers and its seafood products are exported to 170 markets in the world.

Shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid and octopus are main seafood products exported by the country. In which, shrimp exports create about US$ 3.5 – 4 billion, make up 46-50% of the total seafood sales of Vietnam. Earnings from pangasius reached at US$ 1.7 – 1.8 billion (25% of the total) and exports from Tuna and Cephalopods are US$ 450 – 550 million for each.

Exports to the U.S, Japan, EU, China and South Korea make up 75% of Vietnam’s seafood sales to the wolrd.

5 advantages for Vietnam seafood exports:  

(1)  High commitment and participation from Government, Industry and companies for food safety, environment  and social responsibility;

(2)  Able to supply the big volume and safe quality and stable seafood products;

(3)  Meet all the customers’ requirements, incl. the vertical linkage (integration) for each species sector;

(4)  Vietnam is one in few countries in the world which has the good and stable labor resource; 

(5)  Vietnam has Agreements / FTAs with many countries and territories and has advantages both in product quality and im-ex tax.  

Export potentials

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, as of September 15, 2023, Vietnam pangasius exports to the US reached more than 195 million USD, down 55% over the same period last year, accounting for 16%. Vietnam's total pangasius exports to markets.

(vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, cumulative exports of Vietnamese pangasius in the first 8 months of the year to Canada reached 24 million USD, down 46% over the same period last year, accounting for 2% of the proportion. . Canada continues to maintain the 2nd position in the CPTPP market in terms of importing the most Vietnamese pangasius.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In September 2023, Vietnam's seafood exports are estimated to reach 862 million USD, equivalent to the same period in 2022. Accumulated to the end of the third quarter of 2023, seafood exports will reach over 6.6 billion USD, down 22% over the same period.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market's gradual recovery along with China's ban on seafood imports from Japan create an opportunity for Vietnam's seafood exports to "turn around" at the end of this year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Due to the wastewater release, Chinese people are hesitant to consume even domestically caught seafood in some waters near Japan. Therefore, the import demand of seafood in China will increase, including Vietnam.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On August 24, at the International Pangasius Outlook Forum held by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) in Ho Chi Minh City, the speakers said that there is still significant potential for Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to export to densely populated markets with affordable income levels.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China & HK in the first half of this year reached US$280 million, down 16% over the same period. June is the first month since the beginning of this year Vietnam's shrimp exports to China & HK recorded an increase over the same period last year, up 16% to US$67 million. Since March of this year, the monthly rate of decline has also narrowed.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's seafood export turnover in the second quarter of 2023 reached over 2.3 billion USD, 30% higher than the first quarter. However, compared to the same period in 2022, the negative growth rate of 27.5% remained unchanged from the first quarter. Therefore, by the end of the first half of this year, seafood exports were 27.5% lower than the same period last year, reaching 4.15 billion USD. While exports to most markets such as the US and EU decreased significantly (down 46% and 33% respectively), exports to the CPTPP bloc still had more positive results.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 6 months of 2023, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached 1.5 billion USD, down 32% over the same period. Market demand, raw shrimp prices and export prices all went down, inflation increased, and strong competition with other suppliers made Vietnam's shrimp exports difficult in the first half of 2023. Shrimp farmers and businesses are still expecting more positive signals for shrimp production and export activities in the second half of this year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports in June 2023 reached 143 million USD, down 33% over the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a decline in April 2023, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU increased again in May, up 15% over the same period in 2022. However, this increase can not compensate for losses in the previous months. Therefore, Vietnam's tuna exports in the first 5 months of 2023 still decreased slightly by 4% compared to the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, as of June 15, 2023, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached 257 million USD, down 41% over the same period in 2022.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's cephalopod exports in the first 5 months of 2023 amounted to over 240 million USD, reflecting a 13% decline compared to the corresponding period last year. In May 2023 alone, the export value for this product reached 52 million USD, showing a decrease of 18% over the same period.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 5 months of 2023, Vietnam’s shrimp export turnover reached 1.2 billion USD, down 34% over the same period last year. In May alone, the export value reached 331 million USD, down 28%.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Looking at the seafood export value month by month from the beginning of the year, it’s clear that there is a gradual recovery, the next month is higher than the previous month. However, accumulated in the first 6 months, Vietnam's seafood export is still 27% lower than the same period last year, reaching nearly 4.2 billion USD.


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