Seafood exports could increase by an additional $2 billion.

VTV.vn - Exports of seafood and vegetables this year could increase by approximately $2 billion compared to last year.

Seafood exports could increase by an additional $2 billion.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), seafood exports are estimated to reach nearly US$4 billion in the first four months of 2026, an increase of over 14% compared to the same period in 2025. If the current growth rate is maintained and emerging difficulties are effectively addressed, the total seafood export value for the year could increase by approximately US$1 billion compared to the US$11.3 billion figure of 2025.

According to VASEP representatives, most seafood product groups recorded positive growth, although there was differentiation among products. Specifically, pangasius decreased by about 6%, while many other products continued to maintain their upward trend.

Regarding markets, China continues to be a bright spot for Vietnam's seafood exports. In the first four months of the year alone, export turnover to China and Hong Kong reached over $1 billion, a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Conversely, exports to the United States decreased by approximately 6% due to the impact of trade policies and investigations related to anti-subsidy, labor, and trade defense measures.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam stated that recently, many major markets such as the United States and Europe have continuously updated regulations related to seafood imports, requiring businesses to adjust to meet the new standards.

For the European market, requirements regarding traceability, environmental protection, and social responsibility are becoming increasingly stringent. Maintaining the "yellow card" for wild-caught seafood continues to put significant pressure on businesses during the export process.

In addition to barriers from international markets, domestic businesses are also facing increasing pressure regarding compliance costs. Many businesses report that having to invest in both their own environmental treatment systems and connect them to the centralized treatment system in industrial parks significantly increases production costs.

According to VASEP, to maintain sustainable export growth, it is necessary to continue improving the business environment, reducing compliance costs, and strengthening dialogue between management agencies and the business community to promptly address difficulties and update new requirements from import markets.

Along with seafood, the fruit and vegetable sector has also recorded many positive signs. Mr. Dinh Cao Khue, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that in the first four months of 2026, the export value of fruits and vegetables reached more than 2.6 billion USD, an increase of about 22% compared to the same period last year.

According to forecasts by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, if the current growth momentum is maintained, fruit and vegetable exports for the whole year could reach approximately 9.5 billion USD, an increase of nearly 1 billion USD compared to 2025.

In terms of product structure, fruits continue to play a leading role. Notably, durian recorded a growth rate of approximately 170% thanks to favorable market demand and the expansion of exports to many new markets.

Mr. Dinh Cao Khue, Vice President of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, believes that the market potential for the fruit and vegetable industry remains significant if product quality is ensured and all technical standards of importing countries are fully met. In addition, improvements in domestic plant varieties have contributed to increased productivity and adaptability to climatic conditions.

However, the proportion of exports in fresh form still accounts for about 80%, indicating the limited processing industry. This is considered a bottleneck that needs to be addressed soon in order to increase added value, reduce dependence on fresh exports, and enhance resilience to market fluctuations.

According to industry associations, to maintain growth momentum in the coming period, it is necessary to continue improving the production-processing-consumption chain, strengthen regional raw material linkages, and enhance the application of science and technology, especially in the fields of plant breeding and deep processing.

In 2025, seafood exports are expected to reach approximately US$11.3 billion, while fruit and vegetable exports are projected to reach around US$8.56 billion, laying an important foundation for the growth target in 2026. The agricultural sector aims for total exports of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products to reach approximately US$73-74 billion in 2026, with key markets continuing to be China, the United States, and the EU.

Source: https://vtv.vn/xuat-khau-thuy-san-co-the-tang-them-2-ty-usd-10026050516020548.htm