China and ASEAN: Two Growth Drivers for Vietnam’s Seafood Exports in 2026

China and ASEAN: Two Growth Drivers for Vietnam’s Seafood Exports in 2026

Amid increasingly divergent performance across export destinations, China–Hong Kong and ASEAN have emerged as notable growth markets for Vietnamese seafood in 2026. Their performance has helped support overall exports while some traditional markets face pressure from demand conditions, trade costs, and import requirements.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s seafood exports reached approximately US$9.103 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11.4% year on year. Exports to China–Hong Kong reached about US$2.3 billion, up 33%, while exports to ASEAN reached approximately US$620 million, up 21%.

Source: VASEP – Seafood Exports Surpass US$9 Billion in the First Nine Months, Growth Slows in Q4.

These figures highlight the growing importance of Asian markets in Vietnam’s seafood export structure. However, higher export value does not automatically mean that businesses can easily expand orders across every product category. Consumer demand, competition, selling prices, raw-material availability, and market-specific requirements still need to be assessed carefully.

1. China–Hong Kong Emerges as a Bright Spot for Seafood Exports

China is an important destination for Vietnamese seafood because of its large consumer market, diverse import demand, and capacity to absorb a wide range of products, from live and fresh seafood to frozen, semi-processed, and processed items.

According to data published by VASEP, China’s seafood imports reached approximately US$20.26 billion in 2025. In the first half of 2026, the country imported around 2.31 million tonnes of seafood worth US$10.1 billion.

Source: VASEP – Vietnam Emerges as a Key Seafood Supplier to China’s US$20 Billion Market.

The size of the market makes China an attractive destination for international seafood businesses. However, market entry opportunities need to be evaluated according to product type, buyer requirements, price competitiveness, and import conditions.

Strong export growth in the first nine months

According to VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood exports to China–Hong Kong reached approximately US$315 million in September 2026, up 39.9% year on year. Cumulative exports for the first nine months reached about US$2.3 billion, up 33%.

The market accounted for approximately one-quarter of Vietnam’s total seafood export value during the period. This strong increase indicates that China–Hong Kong has made a substantial contribution to the sector’s overall growth.

However, businesses should not rely solely on export growth rates to forecast demand in the coming months. Imports are also affected by domestic consumption, competing supply from other countries, and price movements. As more suppliers compete for orders, buyers may have greater choice, putting pressure on achievable export prices.

Pangasius maintains an advantage in China

Pangasius is one of the important Vietnamese seafood products in the Chinese market. Customs data cited by VASEP indicate that Vietnam earned approximately US$691 million from pangasius exports to China in 2025 and around US$357 million in the first seven months of 2026.

Competitive pricing and suitability for mainstream consumption have helped Vietnamese pangasius serve different channels, including restaurants, foodservice businesses, and retail markets.

For exporters, market development depends not only on total supply but also on the ability to provide the product formats buyers need. Raw fish, fillets, frozen semi-processed products, and convenience-oriented seafood can serve different customer segments.

Businesses should therefore identify their target distribution channels, product specifications, quality requirements, and price positioning before planning to expand orders.

2. ASEAN Maintains Positive Growth

Alongside China–Hong Kong, ASEAN is another important destination for Vietnamese seafood exports. Geographic proximity and regional trade connections provide businesses with additional options when diversifying their markets.

According to VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood exports to ASEAN reached nearly US$84 million in September 2026, up 45.4% year on year. Cumulative exports for the first nine months reached approximately US$620 million, up 21%.

Source: VASEP – Seafood Exports Surpass US$9 Billion in the First Nine Months, Growth Slows in Q4.

This growth shows that ASEAN remains an important region for Vietnam’s seafood trade. Nevertheless, ASEAN is not a single homogeneous market. Demand, acceptable price levels, import regulations, and consumption structures can differ across member countries.

Businesses should therefore avoid applying the same market approach across the entire region. Identifying priority destinations, buyer groups, and suitable product categories can support more effective partner sourcing and order development.

Opportunities for frozen seafood products

For frozen seafood businesses, ASEAN can be approached by customer segment and distribution channel, including importers, food distributors, restaurant chains, foodservice operators, and retailers.

B2B buyers often need clearly defined information such as packaging specifications, net weight, units per carton, storage conditions, and supply lead times. These details help them assess whether a product fits their storage, distribution, and usage requirements.

Depending on the destination market, businesses should also verify product documentation, food-safety requirements, labeling rules, and import conditions before confirming an order. Preparing complete information early can reduce complications in documentation and delivery.

3. Comparing the Roles of China–Hong Kong and ASEAN

Although both markets recorded positive growth in the first nine months of 2026, China–Hong Kong and ASEAN differ in export scale and market-entry characteristics.

Source: VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood export results for the first nine months of 2026.

China–Hong Kong had a larger export value than ASEAN in the reported period, while ASEAN offers access to multiple countries with different consumption characteristics. These markets can complement each other in a seafood business’s market-diversification strategy.

However, commercial performance should be assessed using actual selling prices, logistics costs, payment conditions, quality requirements, and order stability rather than growth rates alone.

4. What Businesses Should Consider When Entering These Markets

To capitalize on opportunities in China–Hong Kong and ASEAN, seafood businesses need to prepare their products, commercial information, and supply capabilities.

Identify target buyers and distribution channels

Businesses should determine whether their products are intended for importers, distributors, retail chains, or foodservice customers. Each group may have different requirements for product formats, order volumes, packaging, and delivery schedules.

Identifying the right customers helps businesses develop product portfolios and sales materials that better match buyer needs.

Standardize product specifications and information

Before offering products to buyers, businesses should prepare complete information on product names, formats, net weights, packaging specifications, storage conditions, and relevant documentation.

For frozen products, consistent information across quotations, product documents, labels, and delivery records helps buyers verify orders and reduces confusion during purchasing.

Evaluate price competitiveness and total costs

Purchase price is important but does not fully represent the commercial value of a transaction. Businesses should also assess transportation, storage, handling, lead times, and any additional market-specific requirements.

Evaluating total costs helps businesses prepare more appropriate quotations and avoid competing solely through price reductions.

Ensure order-fulfillment capability

When market demand grows, requirements may change faster than expected. Businesses should assess supply capacity, raw-material planning, production lead times, and the ability to maintain consistent quality across batches.

For B2B customers, meeting agreed specifications and delivery schedules is important for maintaining long-term business relationships.

5. Growth Opportunities Come With Competitive Pressure

Although China–Hong Kong and ASEAN are showing positive growth, businesses should not assume that the same pace will continue throughout the final months of the year.

According to VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood export growth is expected to slow in the fourth quarter of 2026 compared with the third quarter. Many orders for year-end consumption have already been imported and delivered earlier, while international competition and buyers’ price sensitivity may affect new orders.

VASEP also noted that growth in China–Hong Kong and ASEAN may not fully offset slowing demand in the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Limited raw-material availability in some product categories remains another constraint on order fulfillment.

Source: VASEP – Seafood Exports Surpass US$9 Billion in the First Nine Months, Growth Slows in Q4.

For businesses, this means market diversification should be accompanied by cautious supply planning. Rather than relying solely on current growth rates, companies should monitor orders, inventory, selling prices, and contract-fulfillment capacity when adjusting production and export plans.

6. What Should Seafood Businesses Prepare for Q4 2026?

During the final quarter, seafood businesses can focus on several key activities.

Monitor markets monthly: Track export figures, buyer feedback, and price movements to identify changes in demand early.

Review product portfolios: Determine which products best meet the needs of each distribution channel and prepare clear specifications and product information.

Plan raw materials and inventory: Balance supply capacity against confirmed orders and demand forecasts to avoid building inventory based on uncertain expectations.

Strengthen documentation control: Verify import conditions, labeling requirements, traceability, and product documentation for each target market.

Assess individual market performance: Compare revenue, costs, delivery times, and order stability to select appropriate expansion priorities.

Implementing these activities together helps businesses respond more effectively to market changes and reduce risks when developing new orders.

Conclusion

China–Hong Kong and ASEAN are important contributors to Vietnam’s seafood export growth in 2026. With nine-month export values of approximately US$2.3 billion and US$620 million respectively, these markets offer opportunities for Vietnamese seafood businesses to reach buyers and diversify their sales destinations.

To capitalize on these opportunities, businesses need to evaluate market demand, product advantages, price competitiveness, and order-fulfillment capacity. Export growth should be supported by raw-material planning, quality control, and standardized commercial information.

For frozen seafood businesses, selecting suitable supply sources and clearly agreeing on product specifications from the beginning are also important steps in serving B2B customers.

KDT supplies frozen seafood products for restaurants, HoReCa businesses, industrial kitchens, distributors, and wholesalers. Businesses can contact KDT to discuss product ranges, packaging specifications, and actual supply requirements.