Vietnam’s seafood exports rise in first half of 2026

Exports reached almost $1.1 billion in June alone, up 21 percent from the same month last year, driven by robust demand from key markets, particularly China and the United States.

While exports to the European Union, Japan, and the Middle East recorded slower growth or slight declines last month, the industry's overall performance remained strong.

VASEP said the sector's first-half growth reflected more than a simple recovery in global demand.

It also demonstrated Vietnamese exporters' ability to diversify markets, adjust product portfolios and capitalize on destinations offering geographical advantages, lower logistics costs, and stable consumer demand.

Shrimp remained Vietnam's largest earner during the first half of the year, with its export value totaling $2.3 million, up 13.6 percent year on year.

The shrimp segment made the largest contribution to the industry's overall growth and continues to play a decisive role in achieving the sector's full-year export target.

Other seafood products, including tra fish, squid, octopus and crab, also posted strong growth during the January-June period.

China, including Hong Kong, remained Vietnam's biggest seafood buyer during the period, spending $1.5 billion on Vietnamese seafood in the first six months of the year, a 37.9-percent surge from the same period in 2025.

The figure represented 25.8 percent of Vietnam's total seafood exports between January and June.

In June, exports to the United States reached $195.3 million, soaring 48.3 percent year on year.

Also, Vietnam’s seafood shipments to Japan rose marginally 0.3 percent to $150.2 million last month, while exports to the European Union climbed 6.3 percent to $101.5 million.

Exports to South Korea and ASEAN markets also posted strong growth.

Despite the positive achievements, rising container freight rates remain a significant challenge for seafood exporters.

Seafood is heavily dependent on refrigerated container shipping, which requires strict temperature control, reliable sailing schedules, and timely delivery.

As a result, fluctuations in ocean freight rates, refrigerated container surcharges, fuel costs, insurance premiums, port congestion, and vessel capacity directly affect exporters' operating costs and delivery performance.

Global container freight rates are approaching their highest levels in nearly two years, largely due to stronger booking demand from U.S. importers seeking to secure shipments ahead of potential new tariffs.

The rush to build inventories before any tariff changes has brought forward the traditional year-end import season, increasing pressure on the spot shipping market, according to VASEP.

For Vietnamese seafood exporters, the impact is most pronounced on routes to the United States and the European Union, where refrigerated shipping costs are already significantly higher than those for dry goods and are more vulnerable to additional surcharges.

VASEP noted that the industry's strong performance in the first half of 2026 provides a solid foundation for achieving double-digit export growth this year.

However, sustaining the momentum in the second half will require exporters to strengthen their presence in fast-growing markets such as China, ASEAN, and South Korea, while maintaining compliance with increasingly stringent requirements in the United States, the European Union, and Japan.

Besides, firms should keep input and logistics costs under control, expand the share of value-added processed products, and strengthen risk management capabilities to remain competitive amid continued market volatility.