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Shipments to China, including the mainland and Hong Kong, rose 40.5% to $1.2 billion, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

Exports to ASEAN markets increased by 16.8% while those to South Korea and Japan went up by 4% and 0.4%.

Exports to the U.S. fell by 10% to $689 million and to the EU by 2.2% to $435.6 million.

Shrimp was the top export, with shipments rising 11.5% to $1.9 billion or 40% of all seafood shipments.

Shrimp shipments to several other Asian markets and lobster exports to China increased, according to the association.

But Vietnam faces stiff competition from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia and trade defense measures in the U.S.

Pangasius exports increased by 12.6% to $905 million amid a decline in global whitefish supply.

Tuna shipments fell 6% to $372 million amid increasingly stringent traceability requirements in several markets.

Export of squid and octopus rose by 18% to $304 million, of crabs and other crustaceans by 19% to $160 million, and of shellfish by 22.8% to $122 million.

The association has said China is tightening quality, food safety, and traceability norms.

It expects export growth to slow in the second half of the year due to supply shortages in raw seafood, higher logistics costs, stricter compliance requirements and trade barriers in key markets.

If Vietnam manages to adapt to the increasingly stringent quality standards and maintains its current growth rate, exports might hit the $12 billion target this year, an 8-10% increase from 2025, it said.