Vietnam Targets $11.5B from Seafood Exports in 2026: A Sustainable Growth Strategy
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Vietnam has set its sights on exporting more than 10 million tonnes of seafood, valued at $11.5 billion, in the course of the current year. This anticipated export volume signals a slight increase of 0.6% as compared to that of 2025, according to Pham Quang Toan, the deputy director general of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance who spoke at a recent conference.
Understanding the Figures
The forecast suggests that exports from capture fisheries may experience a slight decrease of 2.1%, landing at roughly 3.75 million tonnes. However, the aquaculture sector is projected to see an increase of 2.2%, amounting to approximately 6.25 million tonnes.
The director general of the department, Tran Dinh Luan, shared insights into the future direction of Vietnam’s seafood sector. According to him, the sector is poised to progressively scale back capture fisheries while concurrently enhancing aquaculture practices. This transition is intended to be sustainable and resilient to climatic changes in order to boost competitiveness.
Luan also emphasized a strategic shift from a production-oriented approach to a fisheries economy perspective. Moreover, the focus will be on moving from singular value growth towards integrated multi-value development.
A Look at Past Performance
Based on data from the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, the total output of seafood in 2025 was 9.95 million tonnes. This represents an increase of 3% from the previous year. Of this, capture fisheries contributed 3.83 million tonnes, which was almost identical to the volume in 2024. In contrast, the output from aquaculture rose by 5.1% to reach 6.1 million tonnes.
The revenue from seafood exports was more than $11 billion last year, marking an impressive increase of 12.7%.
Questions & Answers
What is the projected seafood export volume for Vietnam in the current year?
The anticipated seafood export volume for Vietnam is over 10 million tonnes.
What changes are expected in the export volumes of capture fisheries and aquaculture?
Capture fisheries exports are expected to decrease by 2.1%, while aquaculture exports are projected to increase by 2.2%.
What was the seafood export turnover for Vietnam in 2025?
The seafood export turnover for Vietnam in 2025 was estimated at over $11 billion.