January has brought in a promising start for 2025, with a slight increase of 3% in seafood exports compared to the same time last year. The total export value hit over $774 million, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.
Key highlights from exports in January
The main driver of this increase? Higher demand from China during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The Chinese market, in particular, has shown a surge in imports of high-end seafood products like lobster, crab, and clams. Notably, lobster exports to China reached a staggering $70 million in January, nearly half of Vietnam's seafood exports to China for the period, marking a ninefold increase from last year. Similarly, exports of crab to China skyrocketed 18 times, hitting $18.5 million in the same month.
Thanks to the boost in lobster exports, Vietnam’s total shrimp exports have surged by 24%, providing an important boost not only for China but also for other ASEAN markets. These markets remain crucial for Vietnam’s seafood industry, and such growth is vital in maintaining the sector’s positive trajectory.
Declining exports and global market uncertainty
While some products like pangasius, tuna, cephalopod, and other items have seen a decline in exports, this is relatively typical for this time of year. Experts are watching closely as global seafood trade is largely influenced by shifting policies, particularly U.S. tariff regulations. With the new administration in place, it’s still early to determine how these tariffs will impact the seafood industry, both for Vietnam and other global players.
Experts estimate that it will take 3 to 6 months to get a clearer view of how the U.S. market will evolve in response to these policies. During this time, we can expect both exporters and U.S. importers to ramp up trade activity. This could lead to an uptick in exports to the U.S. in the coming months. However, there are challenges ahead—rising transportation and logistics costs could be a concern, especially for popular items like shrimp and pangasius.
The competition and emerging trends
While Vietnam’s position in the Chinese seafood market remains strong, competition is heating up. With local Chinese products and competitors from countries like India, Ecuador, and Canada vying for space in markets like the U.S., Europe, and ASEAN, it’s going to be tough. Additionally, with new import tariffs from the U.S. affecting China and Canada, the dynamics are shifting, and it’s unclear how the global seafood market will adapt.
In the face of this competition, Vietnamese businesses need to stay flexible and responsive to changes in the market. Here are a few recommendations:
Recommendations for Vietnamese seafood businesses
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a range of synchronized solutions, from institutional improvements and strengthened communication to strict fleet control, Quang Ninh is stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in soon having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 closed with a remarkable milestone for Vietnam’s shrimp industry. According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s total shrimp export turnover in 2025 reached USD 4.6 billion, up 19% compared to 2024 and the highest level ever recorded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the 2026–2030 period, Quang Tri province aims to convert 771 fishing vessels currently engaged in activities detrimental to marine resources and the ecological environment to more environmentally friendly fishing practices or shift entirely to other economic sectors.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2025 recorded a breakthrough growth in Vietnam’s tilapia exports, in which the U.S market emerging as the primary growth driver. The total export turnover of Vietnamese tilapia to the United States reached $53.15 million during the year, surging 173% year-on-year and accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value, thereby making the U.S the largest import market for this commodity. Compared to 2024, tilapia exports to the U.S posted robust growth, reflecting the import demand as well as the ability of Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on market opportunities amidst volatile global competitive dynamics.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After two consecutive years of decline, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports rebounded in 2025. Export turnover of this product group exceeded USD 344 million, up 15% year-on-year compared with 2024 and 13% higher than 2023, although still below the peak level recorded in 2022.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry had left a strong mark with export turnover reaching nearly $11.3 billion, up 12.4% year-on-year. This robust performance reflects not only a rebound in global consumption demand but also the agile adaptation of domestic firms in navigating increasingly stringent trade barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
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