Vietnam’s fishery industry is stepping up its global outreach by diversifying both export markets and product lines to strengthen fishery exports, navigate trade challenges, and ensure sustainable growth.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), aquatic product exports reached $3.3 billion in the first four months of 2025, marking a 21% increase compared to the same period last year. Shrimp exports led the growth with a 30% surge, while tra fish (pangasius) exports rose by 9%.
China became the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood with a 56% increase, followed by Japan (22%) and the United States (7%). While exports to the US are recovering slowly, ongoing tariffs and technical barriers continue to hinder further expansion.
Companies such as Can Tho Seafood Import Export JSC (CASEAMEX) are adjusting their strategies to address these pressures. With the U.S. market accounting for over half of CASEAMEX’s pangasius exports, the firm is now targeting new markets in Europe and Asia, cutting costs, and reconnecting with previous clients.
VASEP has emphasized the need to fully utilize existing trade agreements, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to expand exports, particularly to the EU, Japan, and South Korea. New markets such as the Middle East and South America are also being explored to reduce dependence on traditional buyers.
Vietnamese shrimp exports to the EU benefit from zero tariffs under EVFTA, giving them a clear edge over Chinese products, which face tariffs of 12–20%. Although major breakthroughs have been limited, consistent growth has been seen in exports of key products such as white-leg shrimp, black tiger shrimp, tuna, pangasius, and clams.
In May, VASEP led 28 Vietnamese firms to the 31st Seafood Expo Global in Spain, underlining its strategy to reduce reliance on high-barrier destinations through active international promotion.
Strategic Expansion in Emerging Markets
Singapore has emerged as Vietnam’s fourth-largest seafood importer, overtaking Malaysia, Indonesia, and Norway. Demand is strong for chilled, frozen, and filleted fish, and Vietnam’s Trade Office in Singapore is working with VASEP to support businesses in marketing, trade fair participation, and adherence to quality standards.
Brazil is also gaining prominence as a strategic partner, with Vietnamese pangasius capturing 38% of the market share. Twenty-six Vietnamese exporters, including Hung Ca, Cadovimex, Nam Viet, and Hoang Long, are currently active in Brazil. In Q1 2025, aquatic exports to Brazil rose by more than 70% year-on-year.
Recent developments, such as Brazil’s removal of a ban on Vietnamese tilapia and potential regulatory easing on additives like phosphates, are creating fresh opportunities for expanded processed product exports.
Beyond market expansion, Vietnam is diversifying its product range. Tilapia is being promoted as a complementary export product alongside shrimp and pangasius. Tran Dinh Luan, Director of the Directorate of Fisheries, stated that tilapia farming will help balance Vietnam’s seafood export portfolio.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien highlighted that diversification is a long-term strategy, not just a reactive measure. He urged businesses to comply with international standards, including Halal certification, while investing in quality control, cost reduction, processing, and trade promotion to strengthen global competitiveness.
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