English 
Tiếng Việt 
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), exports of shrimp, pangasius, and tilapia maintained impressive growth in the first eight months of 2026. However, clear polarization across different markets highlights the need for a strategic shift: moving from merely expanding volume to competing on quality and added value.
Export Landscape in the First 8 Months of 2026
Key products recorded positive turnover signals, accompanied by significant shifts in target markets:
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Shrimp: Reached $3.3 billion (up 12%). China and Hong Kong surged to nearly $1.12 billion (+35.9%), accounting for over 34% of total turnover. Conversely, the US market dropped by 11.7% and the EU by 3.6%.
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Pangasius: Reached $1.5 billion (up 10%). China remained the leader with $417 million (+29%), representing a 27% share. Brazil emerged as a new growth driver, while exports to the US continued to decline.
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Tilapia: Achieved breakthrough growth, hitting $90 million (+43%). Brazil became the largest market, contributing $44 million. Notably, exports to Japan, though modest at $2 million, surged by 77%.
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Tuna: Reached nearly $90 million in August (+2%). Over 8 months, the US remained the core market with $248 million (+8%), while Russia provided new momentum with $38 million (+56%).
Competing on Quality in Premium Segments
Market diversification is not just about finding new destinations, but also about introducing products into high-value segments.
The clearest evidence is Vietnam's brackish water tilapia successfully penetrating the sushi and sashimi segment in Japan (August saw a 192% year-on-year increase). To achieve this, the products must meet the most stringent standards regarding water quality control, traceability, and processing procedures.
As global seafood supplies continue to rise (especially shrimp) and consumer preferences become more demanding, enhancing product quality, maintaining stability, and flexibly adapting to specific market segments will be the key to the sustainable development of Vietnam's seafood industry in the coming months.
