Vietnam's Seafood Exports Reach USD 9.1 Billion in 9 Months; Brazil Market Surges 130.7% in September Alone
Statistics from Vietnam Customs show that seafood export value reached USD 1.13 billion in September 2026, up 12% year-on-year, driving cumulative exports in the first 9 months to USD 9.1 billion, up 11.5% year-on-year. Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing market, rising 130.7% in September alone and 53.2% cumulatively in the first 9 months.
Vietnam's seafood exports continued to grow in the first 9 months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, seafood export value reached USD 1.13 billion in September 2026 alone, up 12% from the same period in 2025; cumulative export value in the first 9 months reached USD 9.1 billion, up 11.5% year-on-year.
In terms of market distribution, Vietnam's seafood exports recorded growth during the period to multiple markets including China, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan of China, Germany and the Netherlands. Among them, Brazil showed the most outstanding growth: export value rose 130.7% in September alone and 53.2% cumulatively in the first 9 months.
For the remaining months of the year, the Chinese market has received positive assessments. The market has strong purchasing power, and seafood demand usually rises before the Spring Festival; categories with high demand expectations include live and fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp, pangasius (live/fresh and processed), crabs and high-end aquatic products. At the same time, China's domestic supply has recovered since September, and imported shrimp from Ecuador is competitively priced, which may increase price competition pressure.
In the ASEAN and South Korean markets, demand is relatively stable, concentrated on white-fleshed fish, convenience frozen seafood, and small- and medium-sized whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The U.S. market tends toward reasonably priced products; canned seafood such as tuna, mackerel and pangasius is considered to have an advantage as consumers tighten spending; demand for imported shrimp is also affected by inventory control policies and a cautious attitude ahead of technical regulations and anti-dumping rules.
In the EU, requirements for green certification, low emissions and traceability are increasingly emphasized; Japan prioritizes optimizing import costs.
Against this backdrop, controlling costs, improving quality, ensuring traceability and achieving market diversification are seen as important factors for Vietnamese seafood enterprises to maintain growth momentum in the final months of 2026.
The article is bylined by Bình Nguyên and was published on October 22, 2026, at 11:37.