AsemconnectVietnam - The conflict in the Middle East not only impacts strategic shipping routes but also creates new pressure on logistics costs and the supply chain of Vietnam's seafood industry.

In the context of the conflict in the Middle East, the seafood industry, which relies heavily on refrigerated container shipping and global logistics chains, is beginning to experience certain impacts. Vietnamese seafood export businesses say that the most noticeable impact currently is not a decrease in market demand, but mainly due to increased logistics costs and transportation risks.
Increased logistics pressure, disruptions to some export routes.
For many years, the Middle East has been considered one of the market regions with relatively stable growth for Vietnamese seafood. According to customs statistics, Vietnam's seafood exports to this region increased from approximately US$197.7 million in 2020 to over US$401.1 million in 2025.
The escalating military tensions in the Middle East since the end of February of 2026 are raising concerns about the risk of disruption to global trade. This region lies on strategic shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz and the shipping route connecting to the Suez Canal, which plays a crucial role in the flow of goods and energy worldwide. Any disruption to these shipping routes could lead to significant fluctuations in transportation costs, energy prices, and international supply chains.
The first and most noticeable impact on seafood exports today is the change in the maritime transport system. Some international shipping lines have begun restricting or adjusting routes through high-risk areas, forcing ships to detour around Africa instead of using traditional shipping routes.
This route change extends transit times by approximately 7-10 days, and potentially up to 10-20 days depending on the route. This not only slows down delivery schedules but also increases transportation costs, especially for frozen seafood products that rely heavily on refrigerated containers and strict preservation chains.
Some businesses report that the cost of transporting refrigerated containers can increase by $2,000-$4,000 per container, not including surcharges related to war risks and fuel surcharges. With rising oil prices, the pressure of increased logistics costs for export businesses is expected to continue.
Although food demand in the Middle East remains stable, deliveries to the region are facing certain obstacles due to transportation restrictions. Some businesses report that exports to the Middle East are temporarily disrupted due to difficulties in arranging safe shipping.
In some cases, businesses and import partners have to adjust their logistics plans, such as shifting receiving ports to neighboring countries to continue transportation by road.
However, businesses also say that orders from the Middle East have generally not been canceled, as food demand in the region remains quite high. The main difficulties lie in organizing transportation and controlling logistics costs.
Different impacts across product groups
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) assesses that the impact of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East on the Vietnamese seafood industry also differs across product groups.
For the shrimp industry, the biggest impact currently is the increase in transportation costs and extended delivery times. When ships have to take longer detours, logistics costs increase significantly, directly affecting businesses' profit margins. If the conflict continues, some businesses fear the situation could repeat the scenario of the Covid-19 pandemic, when sea freight rates surged.
For pangasius, the Middle East is one of the important markets, so transportation disruptions could significantly impact export activities. Meanwhile, demand in some other major markets is also showing signs of slowing down, leading to generally more cautious consumption of pangasius.
Tuna is a commodity clearly affected by fluctuations in fuel prices and logistics costs. Rising oil prices can increase the operating costs of the global tuna fishing fleet, thereby pushing up raw material prices. At the same time, transportation disruptions can increase the cost of transporting raw tuna and processed products. However, amidst geopolitical instability, demand for long-lasting food products such as canned tuna may increase due to consumer stockpiling trends.
For other seafood products such as squid, octopus, or sea fish, the impact is currently uneven across businesses. Businesses that export less to the Middle East or Southern Europe report not seeing a significant impact on orders, but rising transportation and fuel costs remain factors to monitor.
Businesses need to proactively monitor and adjust strategies
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) believes that, in the current context, closely monitoring geopolitical developments and international logistics fluctuations is crucial for seafood export businesses.
Businesses need to proactively communicate with import partners and shipping lines to adjust delivery plans when necessary, and consider alternative transportation options to mitigate risks.
Currently, many businesses believe that the impact on Vietnam's seafood exports remains limited and mainly related to logistics. However, if the conflict continues, transportation costs, fuel prices, and global supply chains could continue to fluctuate significantly, thereby affecting the competitiveness of export businesses.
In the context of an increasingly volatile global market, proactively monitoring the situation and flexibly adjusting market and logistics strategies will play a crucial role in helping seafood businesses minimize risks and maintain stable export operations.
CK
Source: VITIC/congthuong.vn