Many opportunities
According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2013, Vietnamese seafood products are available in 156 countries and territories to bring back total value of US$6.8 billion. In which, the top ten importers represented 85 percent.
Despite many difficulties in 2013, Vietnamese seafood products saw growth of 10.1 percent against the previous year. The three main markets - including the U.S., Japan and the EU - all reported an import value of over US$1 billion. In 2014, Vietnam is expected to show more signs of a future export growth.
Japan is gradually an open market for seafood products from Vietnam as Japanese authorities increased the allowable Ethoxyquin content level in imported shrimp from Vietnam to 0.2ppm, compared to the previous low level of 0.01ppm. In addition, Vietnam hopes to boost exports to new potential markets like China and Hong Kong in 2014. In 2013, shipments to these two destinations had a worth of US$650 million, up 55 percent from 2012.
Furthermore, Vietnam is setting up a distribution center for pangasius products exported to the EU in the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium. Exports of Vietnamese pangasius to this huge market will see more opportunities to reach growth in both volume and value thanks to the center.
So far, VASEP and the Management Board of Zeebrugge port signed a memorandum on the establishment of the distribution center. “This is one of the largest ports in Europe and it takes only several hours to transport imported seafood products from Zeebrugge to other European countries located about 500 km from the port. If this plan is fully realized, Vietnam seafood will have more advantages in the EU.
Currently, Vietnamese companies have been sending their seafood products to the EU through Belgium, but these were individual shipments. Therefore, the establishment of a distribution center will help concentrate supply from Vietnam as well as improve their value.
Trade barriers
However, opportunities always bring with them challenges. Vietnam fishery industry needs to acknowledge its internal challenges as well as those from the importing markets. For example, the U.S has been one of the biggest importers of Vietnam. In 2013, shipments to American market reached around US$1.75 billion and Vietnam targets to boost exports to this destination to US$2 billion in 2014.
There are two problems waiting for Vietnam seafood to overcome in coming time. The first one is the U.S catfish inspection program, which will likely be switched from U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to U.S. Ministry of Agriculture (USDA). If the decision is made, pangasius products fail to entry to the U.S market. The second one is the DOC’s annual antidumping tax administrative reviews (POR) imposed to imported frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam. If the U.S. selects Indonesia to be the surrogate country for antidumping tax calculations instead of Bangladesh like what they did in the previous years, there will be more disadvantages for Vietnamese pangasius exporters,” said Dao Tran Nhan, Counsellor of Vietnam Trade Mission in the U.S.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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