Vietnam s seafood exports grow in first seven months

Vietnam's seafood exports reached nearly $6.86 billion in the first seven months of 2026, marking an 11.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. China and Hong Kong remained the top importers, with shipments valued at over $267 million in July alone, a 24.7 percent rise on-year. The United States saw an 8.1 percent increase in seafood exports to $159 million in July, while cumulative exports to the country increased by 0.3 percent.

Japan's exports totaled more than $144 million, growing 3.8 percent, while overall exports reached over $1.783 billion, an 8.1 percent increase. Exports to the European Union declined 10.9 percent in July and 2.7 percent over the first seven months, while Southeast Asia recorded a 6 percent decrease, and the Middle East dropped 16 percent.

VASEP predicts that reaching $12 billion in seafood exports for 2026 remains a possibility, although growth in the remaining months is expected to slow down significantly. The US Section 301 tariff, which imposes a 12.5 percent duty on Vietnamese seafood, creates challenges for exporters. It may force new contract negotiations with US buyers, put Vietnam at a competitive disadvantage against other countries with lower tariffs, and complicate purchasing decisions due to additional duties and restrictions.

However, Vietnam has introduced regulations prohibiting the import of goods produced with forced labor, which could foster ongoing discussions with the US. Despite the challenges posed by the tariff, Vietnam's seafood exports surpassed $5.8 billion in the first half of 2026, growing by 12.8 percent on-year. This growth can be attributed to increased demand, market diversification, and improved product restructuring.