China overtakes US as top market for Vietnamese seafood exports

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam's seafood exports totaled more than US$5.7 billion during the reviewed period, up 11.4% year-on-year. Exports to China reached nearly US$1.4 billion, compared with nearly US$898 million to the US.

Including Hong Kong, exports to the market amounted to about US$1.5 billion, up nearly 38%, while Japan ranked third with nearly US$788 million.

A representative of Nam Viet Corporation said the shift toward China has become more pronounced since the beginning of the year. With freight costs to more distant markets still high, China has become an increasingly attractive destination thanks to its proximity, lower logistics costs and faster capital turnover.

According to Le Hang, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), many exporters have shifted exports to China as the US and Europe have raised trade barriers. In addition to its geographic proximity, which helps reduce logistics costs and delivery times, the Chinese market has relatively less stringent import requirements. Fresh seafood can also be shipped through border crossings, making storage easier and reducing costs.

Meanwhile, exports to the US continued to face pressure from tighter import requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), including additional COA requirements for certain wild-caught seafood products. Shrimp was also subject to high anti-dumping duties. In addition, exporters ramped up shipments to the US ahead of new tariff measures, leading to higher inventories, while weaker consumer spending and a preference for lower-priced products kept exports to the market largely flat in the first half of the year.

VASEP said export growth in the first half pointed to recovering market demand and exporters' ability to adjust their market strategies and product mix.

However, importers have become increasingly cautious, placing shorter and smaller orders while demanding more competitive prices and stricter compliance with quality, certification and traceability standards. As a result, exporters have had to become more flexible in both production and market selection.

Shrimp remained Vietnam's largest seafood export, generating about US$2.3 billion in the first half of the year, up 13.6% and accounting for more than 40% of total seafood export value. Growth was driven primarily by demand from mainland China and Hong Kong, with lobster seeing particularly strong demand in both markets. Pangasius exports hit approximately US$1.1 billion, up 12.1%, supported by competitive prices and steady demand for whitefish across multiple markets.

The outlook for the second half of the year is still uncertain as exporters face the risk of additional US trade protection measures and other trade barriers, along with a renewed increase in refrigerated container freight rates.

As trade policies change rapidly, exporters will need to closely monitor market developments, proactively adjust their export plans, diversify their markets and increase the share of value-added processed products to reduce risks and maintain growth.

Vietnam seafood exports rise 12.8% in H1, China leads growth

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s seafood exports rose 12.8% year on year in the first half of 2026 to nearly US$5.8 billion, driven by strong demand from mainland China and Hong Kong (China), while sluggish recovery in the United States and rising logistics costs continued to weigh on exporters, industry data showed.