Vietnam’s Seafood Exports Surpass US$9 Billion in the First Nine Months
According to VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached an estimated US$1.135 billion in September 2026, up 11.9% year on year. Total exports for the first nine months reached US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%.
The result shows continued double-digit growth during the first nine months of the year. However, growth has become increasingly uneven across product groups and markets, with some categories expanding strongly while several traditional markets face pressure.
Which Product Groups Are Growing?
The first nine months show that growth is increasingly supported not only by shrimp but also by pangasius and other seafood categories.
Pangasius Maintains Positive Growth
Pangasius exports reached approximately US$1.737 billion in the first nine months, up 10.7% year on year. September exports reached approximately US$214.3 million, up 18.6%.
Pangasius therefore remains one of Vietnam’s key seafood export categories. Competitive pricing and stable supply are supporting its position as some whitefish supply sources remain relatively tight.
Squid and Octopus Grow 15.4%
Exports of squid and octopus reached US$606.4 million in the first nine months, up 15.4%. September exports were US$79.3 million, up 17.2%.
The category remains one of the stronger-growing segments in Vietnam’s seafood export portfolio.
Crab and Other Crustaceans See Strong Growth
Exports of crab, swimming crab and other crustaceans reached approximately US$354 million, up 31.6% in the first nine months. This was the strongest growth rate among the main product groups reported by VASEP.
The result indicates continued demand for higher-value seafood, although raw-material availability and market requirements remain important considerations.
Other Fish Products Continue to Expand
The broader group of other fish products reached approximately US$1.741 billion, up 12.2% year on year. Its export value was close to that of pangasius during the first nine months.
This indicates a more diversified seafood export structure rather than growth being driven by only a few traditional categories.
Shrimp Remains the Largest Category
Shrimp remained Vietnam’s largest seafood export category at approximately US$3.745 billion in the first nine months, up 11%. However, September shrimp exports increased only 3.9%, slower than several other categories.
This suggests that overall sector growth is increasingly supported by pangasius and other seafood categories in addition to shrimp.
China and ASEAN Are Becoming Key Growth Drivers
The first nine months show increasingly divergent market performance.
China–Hong Kong remains the strongest growth driver, reaching approximately US$2.3 billion, up 33%, and accounting for around one-quarter of Vietnam’s seafood export value. September exports to this market reached approximately US$315 million, up 39.9%.
ASEAN also maintained strong growth. VASEP data show exports to ASEAN reached about US$620 million in the first nine months, up 21%; September alone increased 45.4%.
Meanwhile, the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September, highlighting the growing importance of Asian markets to overall seafood export growth.
Why Could Fourth-Quarter Growth Slow?
Despite the positive nine-month performance, VASEP expects growth in the fourth quarter to be slower than in the third quarter.
One factor is that part of the orders for year-end consumption were already imported and delivered earlier, limiting additional demand later in the year. Competitive pressure, pricing and raw-material availability also remain important constraints.
VASEP also noted that shrimp, pangasius and tilapia are facing limitations in raw-material availability, while wild-caught seafood faces additional origin and traceability requirements.
What Should Seafood Businesses Watch in Q4?
Asian Market Demand
China–Hong Kong and ASEAN are playing increasingly important roles in seafood export growth and should remain markets to watch in Q4.
Raw-Material Availability
Order growth needs to be supported by sufficient raw materials. Supply constraints in some product categories could limit exporters’ ability to fully capture market demand.
Origin and Documentation Requirements
Traceability and documentation requirements are increasingly affecting seafood exports, particularly for wild-caught products. Businesses need to maintain clear records and better control raw-material information.
Pangasius Remains a Key Category
With US$1.737 billion in exports and 10.7% growth during the first nine months, pangasius remains an important contributor to Vietnam’s seafood export performance.
For businesses in the pangasius supply chain, the result is a positive signal for market demand. However, sustaining growth will continue to depend on raw-material supply, price competitiveness, order fulfillment and individual market conditions.
KDT and Frozen Seafood Supply
As the seafood market grows while product categories and markets diverge, stable supply and clear product specifications remain important for B2B buyers.
KDT supplies frozen seafood products for restaurants, HORECA, commercial kitchens, distributors and wholesalers. Businesses can discuss products, specifications, quantities and actual supply requirements.
Market Information
Businesses monitoring Vietnam’s seafood exports in the first nine months of 2026 can continue tracking product and market performance to support Q4 business planning.
Contact KDT to discuss frozen seafood supply and sourcing requirements.