In 2025, despite facing numerous challenges ranging from reciprocal taxes to the risk of unusually high anti-dumping duties on shrimp and increasingly stringent technical barriers, Viet Nam's seafood exports still achieved a spectacular finish, setting a new record with a turnover of over 11.34 billion USD.

According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), 2025 presents numerous challenges for seafood exports, both in terms of tariffs and technical barriers. However, it is precisely amidst these difficulties that seafood exports have achieved unexpected successes in overcoming these challenges.

Among these, shrimp exports in December reached nearly $336 million, a 3.1% increase compared to November; pangasius exports in December stagnated, reaching over $182 million. Notably, exports of other mollusks recorded a record increase of 296% in December, although the absolute value remained modest at only about $2 million. Meanwhile, tuna exports recorded a sharp decline in the last month of the year, falling by 33.3%, bringing in only $57 million; exports of other fish also decreased by 8% in December, bringing in $156.5 million.

Overall in 2025, shrimp exports will continue to play a "pillar" role in the growth of the country's fisheries sector, reaching a value of US$4.65 billion, an increase of nearly 20% compared to the previous year; contributing nearly 41% of the industry's total export turnover. Pangasius exports will remain stable, bringing in US$2.19 billion for the whole year, an increase of 8.1% compared to 2024.

Exports of other fish species experienced a sudden reversal, showing strong growth at the beginning of the year but declining towards the end; however, overall for the year, they still contributed $2.16 billion to total export turnover. Tuna was the most challenging product in 2025, with the decline deepening towards the end of the year. Cumulatively for the year, tuna exports brought in $913 million. Exports of other mollusks, although of smaller value at around $15 million, maintained relatively stable growth at nearly 20%.

According to Ms. Le Hang, Deputy General Secretary of VASEP, the driving force behind the seafood sector's growth last year came from global market instability, which increased the need for stockpiling and threatened a sharp rise in food prices. This prompted both consumers and businesses in many countries to increase stockpiling, thereby boosting the demand for seafood imports.

Furthermore, the stable implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) continues to be an important leverage, helping seafood exports to break through in potential markets within the CPTPP, EU, and RCEP blocs, compensating for difficulties in some major markets.

On the other hand, the Vietnamese seafood business community has demonstrated good initiative and flexibility in the face of market fluctuations. Businesses have early identified risks from unfavorable timelines related to countervailing duties, anti-dumping duties, or the US MMPA regulations, thereby developing strategies to increase exports, adjust markets, and plan deliveries to minimize negative impacts.

According to Ms. Le Hang, amidst the instability of US market policies and technical barriers, Viet Nam's seafood exports have undergone a significant adjustment in their market structure. The CPTPP bloc continues to be a major export driver thanks to tariff advantages and the stability of markets such as Japan, Canada, and Australia. For the whole year of 2025, seafood exports to CPTPP countries are projected to reach US$3.07 billion, a 22% increase compared to 2024.

Regarding individual markets, China (including Hong Kong) was the fastest-growing market among the key markets, with annual export value reaching US$2.45 billion, a 29% increase. In particular, demand for fresh seafood products such as lobster, crab, scallops, and clams increased sharply, demonstrating the growing role of this region in Viet Nam's seafood export structure.

For the EU, total export value for the year reached nearly $1.2 billion, a 12.5% ​​increase compared to 2024. Demand in this market is gradually improving, with farmed seafood products having an advantage, while wild-caught seafood continues to be affected by the IUU yellow card.

With numerous barriers including reciprocal tariffs, the risk of anti-dumping duties on shrimp, and regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), seafood exports to the United States decreased by as much as 45% in December. However, thanks to positive growth in the early months of the year, overall in 2025, Viet Nam's seafood exports to the United States are still projected to increase slightly by 3% compared to 2024.

Mr. Do Ngoc Tai, Chairman of VASEP, emphasized that amidst volatile global markets, geopolitical instability, increasing trade barriers, and rising production and compliance costs, the Vietnamese seafood business community remains resilient, adapting flexibly and proactively seizing opportunities to improve product quality and the image of Vietnamese seafood in the international market. The fact that seafood exports have surpassed the $11 billion mark for the first time is clear evidence of the industry's resilience, innovative spirit, and aspiration for growth.

However, 2026 remains a period of instability and unpredictability for the seafood industry. Regarding market cycles, after a period of sharp declines and low prices, the market enters a phase of supply shortages, leading to a rebound in both price and demand. Shifting the market and product structure is a long-term strategy for businesses and the entire industry, but it requires time for adjustment and gradual adaptation; sustainable change is unlikely to occur within just a few years.

Experts predict that US tariff policies, trade restrictions, and technical barriers may continue to make exporters worldwide cautious and consider shifting their supply sources. This trend will also create significant competitive pressure in other markets such as the EU, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East. Furthermore, the IUU yellow card remains a bottleneck that Viet Nam needs to address soon to further expand access to the EU market and enhance the reputation of Vietnamese seafood in other markets.

Source: Tin Tuc News

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