Vietnam aims for US$11 billion in seafood exports in 2025

This ambitious goal reflects the fishery industry's resilience and potential despite the challenges it faces in an increasingly competitive global market.

Vietnam has strong potential to boost seafood exports to key markets such as the US, China, ASEAN countries and the Middle East. These regions are seen as vital to achieving the industry's export targets.

In January 2025, Vietnam's seafood exports surpassed US$400 million, a remarkable 29% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. 

The strong start to the year's exports provides a positive outlook and sets a solid foundation for continued growth throughout 2025.

To meet this year's target, Vietnam’s fishery industry is focusing on enhancing quality and efficiency rather than expanding farming areas. 

Key strategies include improving deep processing to extend the value chain and leveraging by-products from aquatic raw materials. 

This approach not only promises to boost the value of seafood products but also helps mitigate the environmental impacts of fishing and farming practices.

The country’s fishery industry still has significant room for growth, according to Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Diversification of farmed species - such as eel, tilapia, seaweed and molluscs - will be a critical component of the industry's export strategy. 

Additionally, Vietnam plans to make more efficient use of its water systems, particularly reservoirs and river systems, while re-organising production through cooperatives and farming chains.

In 2025, the industry will also concentrate on improving the quality of aquatic breeds and ensuring strict control over antibiotic use in aquaculture. 

According to Le Thanh Hoa, deputy director of the Department of Quality, Processing, and Market Development, these measures are necessary for long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Director of the Department of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan emphasised that since the end of 2024, Vietnam’s seafood industry has seen a recovery in export markets, so companies have taken proactive steps to maximise production efficiency. This includes ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for export, such as tuna, squid and octopus - major high-value products.

In 2024, total shrimp exports reached an estimated US$3.9 billion, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. This success is largely attributed to the development of value-added shrimp products, including white-leg shrimp and black tiger shrimp.

Vietnam’s pangasius export market has also shown impressive growth, especially in value-added products such as frozen fillets, pangasius skewers, skin snacks and pangasius balls. These products have fuelled Vietnam's seafood export growth to the US.

Despite facing trade defence measures, the US remains one of the most important markets for Vietnamese seafood, particularly for shrimp and pangasius, also known as tra fish. 

However, rising costs for feed, fuel and transportation are increasing production expenses, which could undermine the competitiveness of Vietnamese seafood in the global market, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

Vietnam is currently the world's third largest seafood exporter, behind China and Norway.