India was Vietnam’s largest seafood import market during the first eight months of this year.

Citing figures from the General Department of Vietnam Customs (Ministry of Finance), the Center for Industry and Trade Information (Ministry of Industry and Trade) reported that in the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s seafood imports reached USD 2.13 billion, marking a marginal decrease of 1.02% compared to the same period in 2025. Although total import turnover trended slightly downward, market shares and the rates of fluctuation across supplying nations registered clear divergence.

India maintained its position as Vietnam’s largest seafood supplier during the eight-month period. Import turnover from this market reached USD 325.86 million, inching up 0.23% year-on-year and accounting for 15.28% of the country’s total seafood import value.

Indonesia ranked second, generating an eight-month import turnover of USD 252.36 million, down 17.94% year-on-year and capturing an 11.83% market share. Norway held third place with USD 227.83 million, contracting 3.06% and accounting for a 10.68% share.

Data for the first eight months of 2026 reflected distinct shifts across Vietnam’s seafood import market landscape. The group of suppliers posting the strongest growth rates compared to the same period in 2025 included the United States (up 33.87%), China (up 20.73%), and Japan (up 15.43%). Among them, the US recorded the sharpest growth trajectory, surging 45.41% in August 2026 alone and climbing 33.87% over the first eight months.

Conversely, several supply sources saw contractions in turnover compared to the first eight months of 2025. The steepest declines occurred in South Korea (-25.45%), the Philippines (-22.11%), Taiwan (-21.14%), and Indonesia (-17.94%). Russia (-8.27%), Chile (-5.03%), and Norway (-3.06%) likewise saw their import values shrink year-on-year.

Currently, the five largest markets—India, Indonesia, Norway, Japan, and China—contribute 58.13% of the total seafood import turnover across the sector.

On the export side, Vietnam’s total seafood export turnover reached the USD 7.99 billion milestone after eight months, recording an 11.8% expansion compared to the corresponding period in 2025. This momentum moves the seafood sector closer to its target of reaching USD 12 billion for the whole of 2026.

According to assessments from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the industry’s overall growth momentum remains heavily reliant on demand pull from China and wider Asian markets. Robust demand for shrimp, pangasius, and mud crabs in China has significantly offset order contractions across the United States and Europe.

Source: An ninh Thu do