April 2025 alone saw impressive growth, with exports hitting USD 900.4 million, a 16% increase year-on-year. Shrimp remained the top export, contributing USD 1.3 billion, up 33.5%, fueled by strong demand from Japan and China. Notably, lobster exports surged by 295% to USD 335 million, becoming a new bright spot. Pangasius exports grew moderately by 10.4% to USD 640 million, supported by a 49% rise in value-added processed products. Shelled mollusks like clams, mussels, and cockles reached USD 84.8 million, up 85.5%, showing great potential in niche markets such as the EU and Japan.
By market, the CPTPP bloc led with USD 931 million, up 29%, with Japan alone accounting for USD 531 million. China and Hong Kong surged to USD 716 million, increasing 57.4% thanks to strong demand before and after Lunar New Year. The EU and South Korea also recorded stable growth at USD 352 million and USD 262 million respectively. Emerging markets such as Brazil, Egypt, and India showed promising growth, with pangasius exports to Brazil up 67% and tuna exports to Thailand up 214%.
Product restructuring was another highlight. Value-added processed products like battered pangasius, processed squid, and frozen octopus saw strong growth, reflecting consumer trends towards convenience and premium quality in major markets. This indicates Vietnamese companies are investing heavily in processing technology and product diversification to boost competitiveness.
However, challenges remain significant. The U.S., the second-largest market with exports worth USD 539 million, has introduced new tariffs including a 10% tax on processed products, leading to a 9% drop in exports in April. The risk of retaliatory tariffs up to 46%, anti-dumping and countervailing duties on shrimp and pangasius, alongside expanded SIMP program and strict traceability requirements, exert considerable pressure on exporters. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) also poses a major challenge, with potential import bans from 2026 if compliance is not met.
In the EU, the ongoing IUU yellow card warning disrupts certification and shipment processes. Meanwhile, China, despite strong growth, faces competition from local products and quality control pressures. Rising production costs—covering raw materials, feed, logistics—combined with container shortages and higher freight rates are squeezing profit margins.
In response, businesses are flexibly shifting to promising markets like Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, and the Middle East, leveraging free trade agreements. Enhancing deep processing and developing value-added products not only boost export turnover but also reduce reliance on volatile traditional markets.
To sustain growth, the industry must focus on strategic solutions: investing in traceability systems, expanding deep processing, exploring new markets, stabilizing supply, and increasing government support such as debt relief, interest rate cuts, and simplified administrative procedures to help businesses overcome financial difficulties.
(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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