Vietnam is taking swift and strategic action to safeguard its seafood industry in response to the US's 46% reciprocal tariff, as officials urge local producers to stay calm, stay the course, and stay competitive.
The tariff announcement, made on April 3 as part of a broader U.S. review covering over 180 economies, has prompted a flurry of high-level engagement. Just one day later, Party General Secretary To Lam held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald J. Trump, advocating early bilateral talks to reach a zero-tariff pact that preserves trade momentum between the two nations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 6 called for calm and strategic thinking. He urged provinces and enterprises not to panic but to seize the moment as an opportunity to accelerate economic restructuring, diversify markets, and strengthen long-term resilience.
In light of ongoing diplomatic negotiations, the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, has advised coastal provinces and the Mekong Delta to maintain production stability. Officials warn of premature harvesting or scaling down of operations, which could disrupt the supply chain and threaten industry-wide growth targets.
Provinces have been instructed to monitor local aquaculture operations closely and communicate transparent market updates to both producers and businesses to ensure confidence and continuity.
Technical support and guidance on sustainable aquaculture practices are being prioritised to reduce production costs, enhance quality, and ensure traceability, a key factor in avoiding origin fraud accusations and boosting competitiveness.
Authorities are also preparing contingency strategies, including redirecting export flows to high-growth markets such as China, the Republic of Korea, the EU, and Japan, while scouting for new trade opportunities.
Localities are encouraged to strengthen production linkages, streamline distribution channels, and help processors stockpile raw materials, setting the stage for businesses to fast-track deliveries in the next one to three months.
At the same time, efforts to boost domestic consumption are underway, with producers urged to create consumer-friendly products and forge stronger ties with supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels.
Authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide timely updates to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to guide effective production policies in response to the evolving US trade policy.
In 2024, Vietnam’s seafood exports exceeded 10 billion USD, with key buyers including China, the US, Japan, the EU, and the Republic Korea. The momentum continued in the first quarter of 2025, with a value of 2.29 billion USD, rising 18.1% year-on-year./.
Source: VietnamPlus
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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