Vietnam's seafood exports reached USD 5.8 billion in the first six months of 2026, up 12.8 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). The growth came despite continued global uncertainty over tariffs, energy costs, logistics and trade competition.
Shrimp remained the country's largest seafood export, generating USD 1.9 billion, up 11.5 per cent and accounting for more than 30 per cent of total export value. The increase was driven by recovering demand in several Asian markets, stronger sales of processed products and rising lobster exports to China.
Pangasius exports also posted solid growth, reaching USD 904.8 million, up 13 per cent. Supported by stable supply and competitive pricing, the freshwater fish is expected to have further growth potential in China, ASEAN, the Middle East, the European Union (EU) and emerging markets.
Exports of squid and octopus rose 18 per cent to USD 304 million, while shipments of crabs and other crustaceans climbed 19 per cent to nearly USD 160 million. Shellfish exports increased 23 per cent to USD 122 million.
Shrimp for export are processed at a company in the Mekong Delta region (Photo: Nam Binh)
Despite the double digit growth, VASEP warned that the sector's recovery remains fragile as exporters continue to face pressure from higher input costs, raw material shortages, stricter technical standards and growing trade defence measures.
The association forecasts seafood exports could still grow by 8 to 10 per cent this year, pushing total export turnover above USD 12 billion. However, it said achieving that target will require additional measures to reduce logistics costs and strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese exporters.
"In an environment of shorter order cycles, fiercer price competition and stricter compliance requirements, effective cost management, logistics efficiency and market risk management will determine the resilience of Vietnam's seafood exports in the second half of 2026," said Le Hang, deputy secretary general of VASEP.
Logistics costs have emerged as one of the industry's biggest challenges. Since mid June, many international shipping lines have sharply increased freight rates on major trade routes.
A Vietnamese seafood processor and exporter told Dantri/Dtinews that international container freight rates are approaching their highest levels in nearly two years. Key freight benchmarks, including the Drewry World Container Index and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), have risen significantly compared with the same period last year.
Shipping costs to the US East Coast have increased by approximately USD 2,000 to USD 3,000 per container, while rates to the US West Coast have climbed by more than USD 1,000 per container. Freight charges on routes to Europe have risen by around USD 800 to USD 1,200 per container, with some routes recording increases of up to 30 per cent.
The sharp rise has been driven largely by stronger booking demand from US importers seeking to accelerate shipments ahead of potential new tariffs. The rush to build inventories earlier than usual has brought forward the peak import season and tightened capacity in the spot freight market.
Seafood is among the cargo groups with a high share of refrigerated container transport, requiring strict temperature control, vessel schedules and delivery times (Photo: Nam Binh).
For Vietnamese seafood exporters, the impact has been particularly severe on shipments to the United States and the European Union, where refrigerated container transport is already significantly more expensive than conventional dry cargo and often incurs additional surcharges.
The increase in freight rates has also coincided with prolonged geopolitical tensions, disruptions to international shipping routes, and higher fuel prices, marine insurance premiums and refrigerated container surcharges.
"For the frozen seafood industry, logistics is a key factor determining competitiveness. Higher transport costs not only increase product prices but also affect delivery schedules and erode exporters' profit margins," a company representative said.
In response, VASEP has urged the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the ministries of Industry and Trade, and Construction, to develop measures to reduce logistics costs, particularly maritime freight charges, which account for a substantial share of seafood export costs.
The association also called for a review of port fees and charges, as well as policies to encourage investment in refrigerated container fleets, cold storage facilities and specialised logistics hubs serving agricultural and seafood exports. Such measures, it said, would reduce Vietnam's reliance on foreign shipping lines and improve the global competitiveness of its seafood industry.
