Vietnam's Seafood Exports Near US$8 Billion in First 8 Months; China and Hong Kong Markets Contribute Over 60% of Incremental Growth
In the first 8 months of 2026, Vietnam's seafood export value reached US$7.94–8 billion, up 10.9%–11.8% year-on-year, though growth slowed in August alone; China and Hong Kong markets were the largest source of growth with a cumulative increase of 33.4%, while the US and EU markets performed weakly.
Vietnam's seafood exports delivered a report card of slowing growth but structural divergence in the first 8 months of 2026. Export data released on September 8 show that Vietnam's seafood export value reached US$7.94–8 billion in the first 8 months, up 10.9%–11.8% year-on-year. However, export growth in August alone has pulled back, with monthly export value of about US$1.08–1.14 billion, up 6%–10.9% year-on-year, below the cumulative growth rate of 12.8% as of the end of July.
From the perspective of export markets, the divergence trend is clear. Purchases by China and the ASEAN markets maintained relatively rapid growth, becoming the main sources of growth for Vietnam's seafood exports; the US and EU markets, affected by factors such as tariffs, anti-dumping duties and product traceability, showed relatively weak order performance.
The China and Hong Kong (China) markets were the most prominent growth engine in the first 8 months. In August, this market 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. Calculated by export increment, the China and Hong Kong (China) markets contributed about US$508.6 million in new export value in the first 8 months, accounting for 60.17% of the entire industry's export growth. Shrimp, 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.
The US market came under pressure. In August, the US imported US$167.74 million of seafood from Vietnam, down 11.4% year-on-year; cumulative export value in the first 8 months was about US$1.24 billion, basically flat compared with the same period last year. The 12.5% Section 301 tariff and the US preliminary review of anti-dumping duties have made US buyers more cautious in purchasing products such as shrimp and pangasius.
The EU market also performed weakly. In the first 8 months, Vietnam's seafood exports to the EU amounted to US$749.9 million, down 1.6% year-on-year, mainly affected by reduced orders for shrimp and tuna.
By contrast, the Japanese and South Korean markets maintained slight growth. Japan's import value 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 had the highest growth rate, reaching 39.1%.