A strong “sprint” in Q4 and december
The final months of 2025 witnessed a powerful acceleration. In Q4/2025 alone, export turnover reached $3.103 billion, up 10.3% compared with the same period last year. December contributed $954.5 million (a 9.2% increase). This period saw companies intensifying shipments to meet festive-season demand across Asian markets, particularly China and Hong Kong, which recorded an explosive growth of 22.9% in the final quarter. December marked a critical sprint for exporters targeting the U.S. market as they raced against a tightening regulatory window. These included compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), an import ban effective from January 1, 2026 on species linked to 12 fisheries not recognized as equivalent and the anticipated announcement of POR19 anti-dumping duties on shrimp, expected in late February 2026.
Q4 growth was primarily propelled by shrimp, which generated $1.244 billion, up 16.8%) and other seafood products such as squid and octopus (+20.4%), crab and crustaceans (+20.9%). In contrast, tuna remained a 'dark spot', declining 10.8% in Q4. The downturn was exacerbated by the U.S. MMPA regulations, the ongoing IUU yellow card and persistent challenges in raw material sourcing.
The corporate landscape: the resilience of industry “flagship players”
2025 also served as a definitive year for market leaders to consolidate their dominance. The top 10 seafood exporters made a significant contribution to the industry’s total export turnover, featuring well-established names from the shrimp and pangasius segments.
Leading the ranking was STAPIMEX with export turnover of $309.8 million, followed by “Shrimp King” Minh Phu (whose combined revenue from its Ca Mau and Hau Giang entities surpassed $542 million). Vinh Hoan fortified its undisputed dominance in the pangasius sector with $249.0 million. The inclusion of names such as Phat Loi, An Hai and Tai Kim Anh in the top 10 signals a powerful upward trajectory for enterprises focusing on deep-processed products and the burgeoning Chinese market.
The success of Vietnamese seafood enterprises in 2025 stemmed from their effective utilization of FTAs and timely market shifts. When the U.S. market faced headwinds from reciprocal tariffs implemented in August 2025, exporters swiftly pivoted toward the CPTPP bloc (exceeding $3 billion) and China ($2.4 billion).
However, Q4 results revealed looming pressure from technical barriers such as the IUU yellow card and marine mammal protection regulations (MMPA), which weighed heavily on the wild-caught seafood segment. Sustaining growth momentum in 2026 will largely depend on the industry’s ability to ensure supply chain transparency and optimize production costs amidst the volatile fluctuations of international trade policies.
Building on the solid foundation laid in 2025, Vietnam’s seafood sector remains well positioned for sustainable growth, despite expectations of renewed challenges in 2026, particularly from the U.S market and increasingly stringent 'green' certification requirements.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This figure reflects an emerging export sector that is taking advantage of market gaps created by global trade disruptions, while larger producers are adjusting their strategies.
On the afternoon of May 28, the People’s Committee of Ho Thi Ky Commune signed a memorandum of understanding with Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Social Co., Ltd. (a member of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation) on cooperation to develop a black tiger shrimp farming area meeting international certification standards during the 2026–2030 period in the commune.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
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