Vietnam's seafood exports near US$8 billion in first 8 months; China market up over 30%

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On September 8, Vietnam's seafood export data showed that exports in the first 8 months of 2026 reached US$7.94 billion to US$8 billion, up 10.9% to 11.8% year on year. However, export growth in August alone had already slowed, with monthly exports of about US$1.08 billion to US$1.14 billion, up 6% to 10.9% year on year, below the cumulative growth rate of 12.8% as of the end of July.

Export markets are showing clear divergence. Purchases by China and the ASEAN markets maintained relatively rapid growth, becoming the main source of growth for Vietnam's seafood exports, while orders in the US and EU markets were relatively weak, affected by factors such as tariffs, anti-dumping duties and product traceability.

China market grows by more than 30%

In August, China and the Hong Kong SAR of China purchased US$287.7 million of seafood from Vietnam, up 26.2% year on year; the cumulative total for the first 8 months reached US$2.03 billion, up 33.4% year on year, accounting for 25.35% of Vietnam's total seafood export value.

Measured by export increment, China and the Hong Kong SAR of China contributed about US$508.6 million in new export value in the first 8 months, accounting for 60.17% of the industry's total export growth. Shrimp, basa fish (pangasius), crab and marine fish were the main products driving growth in this market.

The ASEAN market also performed prominently. In the first 8 months, Vietnam's seafood exports to ASEAN reached US$544.9 million, up 20% year on year, with growth of 31% in August alone, making it another relatively fast-growing region among Asian markets.

US market under pressure, EU exports decline

In August, the US market imported US$167.74 million of seafood from Vietnam, down 11.4% year on year; cumulative exports for the first 8 months were about US$1.24 billion, basically flat compared with the same period last year. The 12.5% Section 301 tariff and the preliminary review of US anti-dumping duties have made US buyers more cautious in purchasing products such as shrimp and basa fish.

The EU market also performed weakly. In the first 8 months, Vietnam's seafood exports to the EU were US$749.9 million, down 1.6% year on year, mainly affected by reduced orders for shrimp and tuna.

By comparison, Japan's imports in the first 8 months reached US$1.11 billion, up 2% year on year; South Korea grew 4.9% to US$566.3 million. Among Vietnam's top 15 export markets, Brazil posted the highest increase at 39.1%, while Germany declined by only 0.2%.

Shrimp exports reach US$3.29 billion

Shrimp remains the largest single category of Vietnam's seafood exports. Exports in the first 8 months reached US$3.29 billion, up 12.3% year on year, accounting for 41% of Vietnam's total seafood export value; August exports were US$485.5 million, up 5.7% year on year.

China and the Hong Kong SAR of China are important markets for the growth of Vietnam's shrimp exports, with exports in the first 8 months reaching US$1.13 billion, up 37.6% year on year. The US market weakened markedly, with August exports of about US$70 million, down 22% year on year; the cumulative total for the first 8 months was US$427.6 million, down 13.4% year on year, and shrimp exports to the EU also fell 18% in August.

Basa fish exports also maintained growth. Exports in the first 8 months reached US$1.5 billion, up 9% year on year, with August exports of US$194.8 million, up 0.4% year on year. Tight supply of wild whitefish in the European market and high cod prices created some room for Vietnam's basa fish to enter the EU market, with August exports to the EU up 42.04% year on year and the cumulative total for the first 8 months up 11.4% to US$131.7 million.

Basa fish purchases in the China market also maintained relatively rapid growth, with exports in the first 8 months reaching US$435.21 million, up 26.5% year on year. The US market declined markedly, with August exports of only US$12.5 million, down 54.8% year on year, and the cumulative total for the first 8 months of US$201.7 million, down 13.9% year on year.

Squid, octopus and crab exports grow relatively fast

In addition to shrimp and basa fish, Vietnam's squid and octopus exports reached US$524 million in the first 8 months, up 14.4% year on year, with August exports of about US$75 million, up 5.7% year on year. Insufficient local supply in South Korea and growing demand in the ASEAN market were the main factors behind the increase in exports of this category.

Exports of crab and other crustaceans grew even faster, reaching US$304.9 million in the first 8 months, up 34% year on year; August exports were about US$55 million, surging 50.7% year on year. After the US granted equivalent recognition to Vietnam's live crab, sales to the US doubled to US$84.7 million, while the China market absorbed US$154.7 million, up 41.8% year on year.

Bivalve mollusc exports in the first 8 months were US$209.6 million, up 30.8% year on year, with clam product exports to Spain, Italy and the US showing relatively clear growth.

As of the end of August, Vietnam's seafood exports still maintained cumulative growth of nearly 12%, but growth momentum has become increasingly concentrated in Asian markets. Purchases by China and the Hong Kong SAR of China reached US$2.03 billion in the first 8 months, up 33.4% year on year, while purchases in the US and EU markets were constrained by factors such as tariffs, trade remedy measures and traceability requirements.

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