In the first 6 months of 2026, seafood exports reached nearly 5.8 billion USD, up 12.8% compared to the same period, but increasingly strict requirements force enterprises to adapt.

Growth amid difficulties

Vietnam's seafood exports continue to maintain growth momentum in the first half of 2026. Data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) shows that in June 2026, seafood exports reached nearly 1.1 billion USD, up 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Accumulatively for the first 6 months of the year, turnover reached nearly 5.8 billion USD, an increase of 12.8% compared to the same period last year.

Shrimp continues to be the largest export commodity with 2.3 billion USD, up 13.6%, accounting for more than 40% of the total sector turnover. Pangasius reached approximately 1.1 billion USD, up 12.1%, holding the role as the second core export commodity group. Besides, many product groups such as squid, octopus, crabs, and mollusks also recorded positive growth rates.

Notably, the sector's growth driver no longer relies on a few traditional markets. China and Hong Kong continue to serve as bright spots with turnover reaching approximately 1.5 billion USD, up 37.9% after 6 months. South Korea increased by 9%, and ASEAN rose by 15.8%, contributing to offsetting the slow growth in the US, the European Union (EU), and Japan.

According to Ms. Le Hang - Deputy General Secretary of VASEP, the above results reflect not only the recovery of consumer demand but also demonstrate that enterprises have proactively adjusted product structures and flexibly redirected to markets possessing advantages in geographical distance, costs, and stable consumption demand.

However, Ms. Le Hang also argued that the current business context has altered significantly. Importers possess a tendency to place shorter, more fragmented orders and demand more competitive prices, while concurrently controlling quality, certifications, traceability, as well as delivery times more tightly.

This means that enterprises do not merely compete on selling prices but must also elevate their capacity to satisfy the entire supply chain, from raw materials and processing to logistics and delivery.

Increasingly large challenges

The alteration in ordering methods also makes the already existing pressures of the seafood sector become more distinct.

In the US market, although exports in June rose sharply by nearly 50%, the 6-month accumulation merely flattened out compared to the same period last year. According to VASEP, this is primarily the result of short-term orders, while overall purchasing power has not yet truly stabilized. Besides, enterprises continue to bear pressure from price competition with Ecuador, India, and Indonesia, alongside regulations such as anti-dumping duties, anti-subsidy duties, SIMP, MMPA, and traceability requirements.

In the EU, the IUU yellow card remains a major barrier against the wild-caught seafood group as requirements regarding certification and origin control become increasingly tight. Meanwhile, the Japanese market grows slowly due to weakening purchasing power and a depreciating Yen.

Not uniquely bearing pressure from markets, enterprises also face growing logistics costs. According to VASEP, international container freight rates are approaching their highest level in nearly two years. For the seafood industry, which inherently relies heavily on reefer containers and strict requirements regarding temperature as well as delivery times, every fluctuation in ocean freight, fuel surcharges, insurance, or vessel space shortages can drive up costs and affect delivery progress.

According to Ms. Le Hang, the result of nearly 5.8 billion USD in the first half of the year serves as a positive foundation for the sector to head toward the double-digit growth target in 2026. However, to maintain the growth momentum in the final months of the year, enterprises need to continue keeping advantages in growth markets like China, ASEAN, and South Korea, while concurrently consolidating compliance capacity in the US, the EU, and Japan.

Alongside controlling input and logistics costs, VASEP argued that enterprises need to raise the proportion of deeply processed products and value-added products, and elevate market risk governance capacities. In a context where orders become increasingly small, delivery times are shorter, and import standards are continuously elevated, the capacity to respond rapidly and stably will become the factor deciding the competitive edge of Vietnamese seafood in the coming period.

Source: Bao Nong nghiep va Moi truong