The European Union (EU) continues to maintain its role as one of the important destinations for Vietnamese seafood, yet growth in this market remains not truly sustainable as consumer demand recovers slowly and competitive pressure increases from new exporting nations.

According to data from the Customs Department, in May 2026, Vietnam's seafood export turnover to the EU reached 91.2 million USD, up 2.1% compared to the previous month but down 12.4% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first 5 months of the year, exports reached 430.8 million USD, equivalent to 36.9% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover to this market for the entire previous year. The EU currently serves as Vietnam's fourth-largest seafood export market, occupying around 8.9% of the entire sector's total export value.

In the structure of seafood exported to the EU, shrimp continues to hold the core role with a proportion of nearly 48%, followed by tuna (18.5%), catfish (15.6%), squid and octopus (3.5%), with the remainder being other seafood commodities.

At the EU market, shrimp exports recorded more positive signals than remaining commodity groups. In May 2026, Vietnamese shrimp turnover to the EU reached 46.8 million USD, up nearly 18% compared to the previous month. The average export price reached 14.1 USD/kg, up 7.3% compared to April 2026 and up 2.3% compared to the same period in 2025.

However, catfish and tuna commodities still bear downward pressure. Specifically, catfish exports merely reached 13.9 million USD, down 17.6% compared to the previous month and down 13.7% compared to the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, tuna reached 12.1 million USD, down 14.4% compared to the previous month and down up to 36.7% compared to the same period.

Alongside trade developments, the EU market also presents multiple new factors that can impact Vietnam's seafood export activities in the coming time. First is the EU for the first time approving Egypt to export farmed seafood into this bloc after the North African nation perfected its quality control system and satisfied strict food safety standards. With the advantage of being a large seafood producer in Africa, Egypt's presence at the EU market can increase competition against traditional suppliers, including Vietnam.

In the opposite direction, for the first time the European Commission brought seafood into the trade restriction list when proposing the 21st sanctions package against Russia. If passed, this policy can create certain alterations in seafood supply at the EU market. However, the scope of application and list of affected products have not yet been fully announced, therefore the actual impact on Vietnamese seafood export enterprises needs continued tracking.

Another positive signal comes from the Eurozone regional economy as the June 2026 composite PMI index rose to the 50-point level, ending the previous decline streak and reflecting that business activities have begun stabilizing again. If this recovery trend is maintained, consumer demand in the EU can improve in the final months of the year, creating additional room for Vietnam's seafood exports.

Source: Tap chi Thuy san Viet Nam