HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded a significant increase in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a total value of $2.45 billion, a 26% rise compared to the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Shrimp and tra fish remained the primary contributors to this growth. Shrimp exports totaled $931.6 million by the end of Q1, reflecting a 35.7% increase year-on-year. This growth was attributed to strong demand from key markets, including China, the U.S., and the European Union. Tra fish exports amounted to $465 million, marking a 13% increase over the same period last year.
Industry analysts highlighted stable raw material prices and a shift toward higher-value processed seafood products as factors supporting growth. However, the growth rate for tra fish exports was lower than that of shrimp, influenced by market conditions, geopolitical factors, and continued anti-dumping duties in the U.S. Meanwhile, Vietnamese shrimp exports faced competition from Ecuador and India, which benefit from lower production costs and larger production capacities.
Other seafood categories also experienced growth. Exports of crabs, swimming crabs, and mollusks with shells generated $86.4 million in revenue, representing a 66% increase year-on-year, largely driven by increased demand from China during the Lunar New Year period.
Tuna exports saw a more modest growth of 3.6%, reaching $222.7 million between January and March. However, regulatory challenges remain, as the European Union’s policies on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to present compliance difficulties for Vietnam’s seafood industry, particularly for the tuna sector.
VASEP noted that while the sector has shown positive momentum in early 2025, market competition and regulatory factors may continue to influence export trends in the coming months.
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