According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, seafood exports in the first six months of the year increased by more than 11% compared to the same period last year. China led the way, followed by the US and Japan in third place. Amidst high shipping costs to distant markets, China has become a more attractive option due to its close geographical proximity, low logistics costs, and quick return on investment.
In terms of markets, China (including Hong Kong) continued to be the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year. It was also the market that provided the most significant growth impetus for products such as shrimp, pangasius, lobster, mollusks, and live and frozen seafood.
Overall, in the first six months, seafood exports to the United States reached $897.9 million, almost the same as the same period last year. Although June saw a strong increase, the results for the entire six months show that overall US demand is still not truly sustainable. Factors such as inventory levels, cautious purchasing power, price competition, tariff policies, and technical barriers continue to force businesses to maintain caution when exploiting this market.
Exports to Japan reached $787.5 million, up 0.7%, continuing to be an important market for shrimp, squid, octopus, tuna, surimi, and processed seafood products, although purchasing power remains slow due to high food costs and a weak yen.
According to VASEP, the positive results in the first six months of the year have created a favorable foundation for the double-digit growth target of seafood exports in 2026. However, to maintain the growth momentum in the second half of the year, the industry needs to continue to leverage its advantages in fast-growing markets such as China, ASEAN, and South Korea , while strengthening its ability to comply with requirements in the United States, the EU, and Japan.
Simultaneously, businesses must control input costs and logistics, increase the proportion of deeply processed products, and enhance risk management capabilities to adapt to the constantly fluctuating market environment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of July 13th, Mr. Ho Quoc Dung, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Prime Minister, along with his delegation, visited and worked with businesses in An Giang province to promptly resolve obstacles and promote production and business activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As importing markets increasingly focus on biosecurity and traceability, Vietnam has established a relatively comprehensive legal framework and disease management system for aquaculture, covering tilapia farming as well as other cultured species. This system is based on the Law on Animal Health, regulations on the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases, the National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Major Diseases in Farmed Aquatic Species, and environmental monitoring and early warning programs for aquaculture areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On July 9, 2026, the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil organized the seminar titled “Sharing Information on Vietnam-Brazil Economic, Trade and Investment Relations in the First Half of 2026” to provide updates on bilateral cooperation and strengthen connections among government agencies, industry associations, and business communities of the two countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports in the first 6 months of the year continued to be a bright spot with a total turnover of 5.7 billion USD, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period last year. By commodity group, seafood is one of the three groups with a trade balance in the first 6 months of 2026 in a surplus state with 4.13 billion USD, an increase of 17%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) For many years, Vietnam’s seafood industry has been recognized as one of the country’s key export pillars. Products such as shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid, octopus, and a wide range of other seafood have reached hundreds of markets worldwide. Yet behind these impressive export figures lies a significant challenge: a substantial share of Vietnam’s seafood export value still comes from minimally processed products, contract manufacturing, and raw material exports—segments characterized by low profit margins and high vulnerability to fluctuations in global prices.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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