Vietnam's seafood export turnover in the first five months of 2025 reached over $4.34 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024. In May, exports hit nearly $997 million, marking a 20% increase. Notably, the U.S. market stood out with a turnover of over $234 million in May, surging 61% year-on-year—the highest growth among major markets.
This sharp rise was mainly driven by a “policy gap” in U.S. tariffs. From April 9 to July 9, 2025, the U.S. applied a temporary 10% tariff on imports from Vietnam, significantly lower than the previously warned 46%. Seizing this window, many Vietnamese enterprises accelerated deliveries.
In the first five-month period, shrimp remained the leading export item with a turnover of more than $1.71 billion, up 32%. In May, shrimp exports reached over $415 million - the highest monthly figure of the year. Pangasius also saw positive growth of 11% over five months, with a strong 13% increase in May, contrasting with a modest 4% rise in April.
Pangasius exports to the U.S., which had plummeted in April, rebounded by 35% in May—a clear testament to businesses' flexible adjustments in delivery schedules.
Similarly, tuna exports also showed signs of recovery, albeit at a slower pace. After a slight decline in April, tuna exports rose by 7.6% in May, bringing the total five-month export value to over USD 405 million - an increase of 5%. Other product groups such as squid - octopus, crabs and bivalve mollusks also posted strong growth, with bivalve mollusks achieving an impressive 63% increase.
On the market side, the U.S. remained the most volatile. In the first five months of the year, exports to this market reached $774 million, up 27%. However, the sharp growth in May was largely time-sensitive. If the tariff reverts to the projected 46% after July 9, 2025, many enterprises will be forced to halt shipments, risking a sharp decline in orders in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the EU and Japan recorded steadier growth of 14% and 18% respectively over the five-month period. China and Hong Kong continued to serve as key pillars, with exports surging by 50%, especially for shrimp (+90%) and bivalve mollusks (+285%).
However, behind this short-term growth, Vietnam’s seafood industry faces significant challenges from U.S. tariff policies. A potential 46% countervailing duty would inflate costs, create a compounding tax burden, and push many businesses—especially small ones—into precarious positions. The consequences could extend beyond lost orders, potentially disrupting entire supply chains and increasing localized unemployment in seafood-producing regions.
Competitors like China, India, Thailand, and South American salmon producers are also maneuvering to either cope or capitalize on market share opportunities. Notably, exporters from Latin America, such as Brazil and Chile, are poised to benefit if Vietnam is squeezed out of the U.S. supply chain due to high tariffs.
Vietnam’s seafood export outlook for 2025 hinges heavily on the tariff scenario post-July 9. If the tariff remains at 10% or is eliminated, Vietnam could maintain or exceed $10 billion in exports. However, a 46% tariff could drag the annual turnover down to $9 billion, with lingering risks.
Vietnam’s seafood exports are demonstrating strong recovery and adaptability amid uncertainties. Yet, the sustainability of growth in the second half of 2025 will largely depend on U.S. trade policies. This will be the pivotal factor shaping Vietnam’s seafood industry landscape in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 27, the Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and businesses from both countries, organized the online seminar “Vietnam–India Seafood Trade Forum and Supply-Demand Connectivity 2026.” The event aimed to promote trade cooperation, investment, and seafood supply chain connectivity between Vietnam and India amid the ongoing restructuring of global markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In recent years, Ninh Binh Province has intensified the application of science and technology in aquaculture in order to improve productivity, product quality, and economic efficiency.
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