AsemconnectVietnam - According to the General Department of Customs, it is estimated that Vietnam’s seafood exports in the first quarter of 2023 reached about 1.85 billion USD, down by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2022.

According to the statistics figures of the General Department of Customs, by mid-March 2023, Vietnam's seafood exports reached 1.4 billion USD, down by 28% over the same period last year. It is estimated that seafood exports in the first quarter of 2023 reached about 1.85 billion USD, down by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2022.
Particularly in March of 2023, seafood exports were estimated at 780 million USD. The exports of key commodities still decreased by 8-39% compared with the same month of 2022. In which, shrimp exports decreased by 39%, pangasius decreased by 23%, tuna decreased by 33%, squid and octopus decreased by 8%. However, exports of other marine fish species still grew by 11% year-on-year.
By the end of the first quarter of 2023, Vietnam’s shrimp exports brought in USD 577 million, down 40%, pangasius reached 447 million USD, 32% lower than the same period and tuna decreased by 31% to 179 million USD. The exports of squid and octopus were also 8% lower than the same period last year, reaching 54 million USD. Particularly, the exports of marine fish species still increased slightly by 3% to 435 million USD.
Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany increased continuously in the first 2 months of 2023
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, Germany is one of the few markets of Vietnamese tuna that can maintain a good growth momentum in the first two months of 2023. Tuna export turnover to this market continuously increased in the first 2 months of the year, reaching more than 5 million USD, up 47% over the same period in 2022. This has helped Germany become the 3rd largest single tuna import market of Vietnam in this period.
In 2022, Germany is the largest tuna import market of Vietnam in the EU bloc, accounting for about 3% of total tuna export turnover, up 20% compared to 2021.
Canned tuna and frozen tuna meat/loin are still Vietnam's main export products to Germany, accounting for 63% and 30% respectively in the first 2 months of 2023. Compared to the same period in 2022, Vietnam's exports of both these products increased by 28% and 68% respectively.
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, the inflation rate in December 2022 dropped from a record high of 10.4% in October 2022 to 8.1%. Prices fell thanks to a one-time payment under the government bailout package to consumers' winter gas bills in December.
Vietnam pangasius exports to Russia a year after the Russia-Ukraine war
In the first two months of 2023, Russia is among many markets with negative growth in imports of Vietnamese pangasius, due to the impact of inflation and a decrease in demand.
According to the trend, only a few markets kept positive growth in pangasius imports such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, while most of the major markets decreased, including Russia.
In February 2023, pangasius exports to the Russian market reached nearly 2 million USD, down 40% over the same period last year (equivalent to 3 million USD) and accounted for 1% of the total value of Vietnamese pangasius to other markets. .
In the first two months of 2023, Vietnam's pangasius to the Russian market reached nearly $2.5 million, down 53% compared to the same period in 2022 and accounted for 1.4% of the total value of Vietnamese pangasius exports to markets. The proportion of the Russian market in the first 2 months of this year increased higher than the same period last year (only 1%). Although pangasius decreased, the context of inflation reduced demand and decreased import prices, sales by the end of February are also a positive sign.
Exports of cephalopods increased by 37% in February 2023
In the first two months of 2023, cephalopod products contributed 8% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, with a value of over $89 million. In February, the export of cephalopods increased by 37% over the same period last year, reaching 47 million USD.
In the structure of exported cephalopod products, squid accounts for a higher proportion than octopus. Only live/fresh/frozen squid products (HS code 03) had a slight increase in export value. Exports of the remaining cephalopod products all decreased, of which the largest decrease was other processed squid (HS 16) with 20% reduction.
South Korea is still the largest import market of Vietnam's cephalopods, accounting for 35% of the total export value. In the first two months of 2022, exports to this market reached 31 million USD, down 3% over the same period. Korea mainly imports from Vietnam frozen cut octopus, frozen whole octopus, frozen cut octopus, frozen processed octopus, peeled dried squid, frozen processed squid, frozen sushi squid.
Exports of cephalopods increased by 37% in February 2023
In the first two months of 2023, cephalopod products contributed 8% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, with a value of over $89 million. In February, the export of cephalopods increased by 37% over the same period last year, reaching 47 million USD.
In the structure of exported cephalopod products, squid accounts for a higher proportion than octopus. Only live/fresh/frozen squid products (HS code 03) had a slight increase in export value. Exports of the remaining cephalopod products all decreased, of which the largest decrease was other processed squid (HS 16) with 20% reduction.
South Korea is still the largest import market of Vietnam's cephalopods, accounting for 35% of the total export value. In the first two months of 2022, exports to this market reached 31 million USD, down 3% over the same period. Korea mainly imports from Vietnam frozen cut octopus, frozen whole octopus, frozen cut octopus, frozen processed octopus, peeled dried squid, frozen processed squid, frozen sushi squid.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic/VNA