Vietnam's aquatic exports maintained solid momentum in the first half of 2026, with turnover rising 12.8 percent year-on-year to nearly US$5.8 billion, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The performance was boosted by an impressive June, when overseas shipments approximated US$1.1 billion, up 21 percent from the same month last year. The rebound reflected improving demand across major markets, with exports to China continuing to surge and the US showing clear signs of recovery. Meanwhile, exports to the EU, Japan and the Middle East remained relatively stable.
Shrimp remained the top foreign currency earner, generating US$445.9 million in June, up 20.7 percent year-on-year. Tra fish exports rose 7.7 percent to US$209.1 million, while other fish products increased 19.8 percent to US$198.8 million.
Several categories posted even stronger growth. Tuna exports climbed 28 percent to US$85.9 million, squid and octopus shipments rose 26.5 percent to US$77.9 million, while exports of crab and other crustaceans jumped 55.1 percent to US$45.3 million. Shellfish recorded the fastest growth, soaring 77.8 percent to US$31.3 million.
China, including Hong Kong, remained Vietnam's largest market in June, with exports rising 32.2 percent to US$256.6 million. Shipments to the US increased sharply by 48.3 percent to US$195.3 million, reflecting the return of orders after months of weak demand. Exports to Japan edged up 0.3 percent, while those to the EU, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and ASEAN grew by 6.3 percent, 29.5 percent and 16.5 percent, respectively.
For the first six months of the year, shrimp continued to dominate Vietnam's aquatic exports, earning US$2.3 billion, up 13.6 percent, and accounting for more than 40 percent of the total value. Growth was mainly driven by robust demand from China, particularly for black tiger shrimp, lobster, frozen shrimp and premium products for restaurants and high-end consumers.
However, exporters continued to face stiff competition in the US from suppliers in Ecuador, Indonesia and India while anti-dumping and countervailing duties, the Seafood Import Monitoring Programme (SIMP), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and stricter traceability requirements added to compliance costs.
Tra fish remained the second-largest export item, bringing in US$1.1 billion, up 12.1 percent, and accounting for 19.4 percent of total aquatic export earnings. The product continued to benefit from stable global demand for affordable whitefish and Vietnam's advantages in production capacity, pricing and processing.
Other fish products also generated US$1.1 billion, up 12 percent, highlighting the sector's increasingly diversified export structure.
Among marine products, squid and octopus exports rose 18.8 percent to US$380.2 million, while crab and other crustaceans increased 26.2 percent to US$206.2 million. Shellfish exports climbed 33.1 percent to US$155.3 million. Tuna was the only major product posting weaker six-month results, with exports slipping 2 percent to US$452.7 million, despite strong growth in June.
Le Hang, Deputy General Secretary of VASEP, said the sector's growth reflected not only recovering consumer demand but also exporters' ability to diversify markets and adjust product portfolios.
She noted that exporters have become more flexible in responding to smaller orders, shorter delivery schedules and increasingly strict requirements on pricing, quality, traceability and certification.
China remained Vietnam's largest importer during the first half, purchasing US$1.5 billion worth of aquatic products, rising 37.9 percent and accounting for 25.8 percent of total shipments. This market was the main growth driver for shrimp, tra fish, lobster, shellfish as well as live and frozen seafood.
Exports to the US reached US$897.9 million, almost unchanged from a year earlier, indicating that demand has yet to recover fully despite June's strong performance.
Shipments to Japan totalled US$787.5 million, up 0.7 percent, while exports to the EU fell 0.8 percent to US$536.7 million, partly due to the bloc's "yellow card" warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Exports to the Middle East dropped slightly, 0.1 percent, to at US$166.6 million.
Meanwhile, exports to the RoK rose 9 percent to US$419.4 million, ASEAN 15.8 percent to US$380.2 million, and other markets 17.1 percent to US$1.1 billion, underscoring the effectiveness of Vietnam's market diversification strategy.
Despite the positive outlook, VASEP warned that rising logistics costs remain a major challenge. Higher international container freight rates, limited refrigerated container availability and port congestion continue to put pressure on exporters, especially on routes to the US and the EU.
The association said the sector's strong first-half performance provides a solid foundation for achieving double-digit export growth in 2026. However, maintaining the momentum will require businesses to strengthen their presence in fast-growing markets such as China, ASEAN and the RoK, while continuing to meet increasingly stringent standards in the US, EU and Japan, alongside tighter cost control and greater investment in value-added products.
