Key markets such as South Korea, Thailand, China, and Japan all recorded solid growth, with increases ranging from 27% to 40%.
In addition, exporters have made effective inroads into new markets such as Russia, Spain, and the UK, indicating a trend toward expanding market share early in the year.
This growth is partly driven by evolving consumption habits. Modern consumers increasingly favor convenient, ready-to-eat products like imitation crab sticks and fish-based items made from surimi. These products are typically pre-cooked and require no further preparation, making them ideal for fast-paced lifestyles and quick meals.
Amid rising prices for seafood such as shrimp, crab, and fish—caused by overfishing, supply shortages, and environmental concerns—surimi is emerging as a more economical and sustainable option. For instance, the FAO Fish Price Index averaged 112.8 points in December 2024. This cost advantage makes surimi particularly appealing to budget-conscious consumers and the food service sector, especially in regions where seafood is a dietary staple but is becoming increasingly expensive. As a result, global demand for surimi and fish cake products is expected to continue rising.
However, opportunities often come with challenges
Currently, pollock production is on the rise in Russia and the U.S., which is likely to intensify competition in major markets. At the same time, Vietnamese producers and exporters of fish cakes and surimi are facing multiple difficulties. A shortage of raw materials has pushed up input prices, increasing production costs and making it harder for Vietnamese products to stay competitive. Meanwhile, issues related to the issuance of SC and CC certificates for seafood exports remain unresolved, with a backlog of applications hindering operations and export activities.
Vietnam currently has more than 50 companies exporting fish cakes and surimi. The top three exporters—Dalu Surimi, Kicoimex, and Khanh Hoang Seafood—account for 39% of the country’s total export value.
Despite these challenges, positive shifts in the market and consumer trends offer a promising outlook. Vietnamese surimi and fish cake exports are expected to continue gaining momentum in the coming months.
(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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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