US economic recovery and new tariff policies present both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese seafood
Forecasts indicate that the US economy will continue to stabilize and experience robust recovery in 2025, presenting significant opportunities for Vietnam's seafood sector. In 2024, Vietnamese seafood exports to the US recorded a 16% increase, exceeding USD 1.8 billion. Key products such as whiteleg shrimp, black tiger shrimp, pangasius, tuna, and crab all experienced positive growth.
A key factor contributing to increased seafood consumption in the US is the rapid growth of worker wages, outpacing the rise in consumer prices. This trend may lead to increased spending on food, including seafood. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve (Fed)'s potential easing of monetary policy is expected to further stimulate the US economy in 2025.
However, a significant challenge for Vietnamese seafood exports to the US stems from the new administration's trade policies, particularly the risk of international trade disruptions and port congestion due to tariff changes. These factors could significantly impact trade flows and increase shipping costs.
China: A strategic market facing heightened competitive pressure
China has consistently been a key market and holds a strategic position for Vietnam's seafood sector. China's geographical proximity offers lower logistics costs compared to other major markets. Coupled with the stable growth of the Chinese economy, this presents a strong impetus for Vietnam's seafood exports.
However, Vietnam's seafood sector faces intense competition from the Chinese domestic market, particularly as China's exports to the US may decline due to new tariff policies. Furthermore, China's increasing seafood exports to ASEAN markets, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, will create significant pressure on Vietnamese seafood products.
In this context, Vietnam could increase its market share in the US as China is affected by trade disputes and tariff issues. Nevertheless, competition from Chinese seafood products in international markets remains a considerable challenge.
ASEAN to spearhead global economic growth in 2025
The ASEAN region and other Asian nations are projected to lead global economic growth in 2025. Despite competition from countries such as China and India, ASEAN remains a promising market for Vietnamese seafood. However, seafood consumption in ASEAN markets could be affected by the slowdown of the middle class in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy. Simultaneously, Thailand is facing challenges in its post-pandemic economic recovery. Nevertheless, compared to markets such as the EU and Japan, ASEAN is still considered a potential destination for Vietnamese seafood exports in 2025.
The Middle East: Rising demand for seafood imports
While accounting for less than 4% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, the Middle East represents a highly promising market. Seafood demand in Middle Eastern countries is rapidly increasing, particularly as these nations transition from oil-dependent economies to developing non-oil industries such as tourism, technology, and food processing. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait rely on seafood imports to meet domestic consumption needs. Consequently, demand for seafood imports from countries like China, India, and Vietnam is projected to continue its upward trajectory.
To capitalize on the potential of these markets, Vietnam's seafood sector needs to create incentives for farmers and fishermen to confidently engage in production, ensuring a supply of Vietnamese-origin raw materials to leverage tariff advantages. Businesses require motivation to improve product quality, enhance competitiveness, and facilitate export market access. This will pave the way for a confident resurgence in exports, potentially reaching USD 11 billion or more in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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