In 2025, seafood exports are expected to continue to grow better and could reach 11 billion USD as in 2022. However, this is also the year the seafood industry will face challenges, including increased competition from other countries, trade wars and market barriers
In 2024, Vietnam’s seafood exports will overcome many difficulties and challenges in terms of raw material sources, reduced demand, increased competition, and increased market barriers, thereby achieving an export value of over 10 billion USD, not including more than 250 million USD from fishmeal exports, an important source of raw materials for the animal feed industry.
Specifically, the shrimp industry achieved an export value of nearly 3,9 billion USD, an increase of 15% compared to 2023. This result is thanks to the strategy of focusing on the strength of value-added products and diversifying product segments (whiteleg shrimp, tiger shrimp, lobster, sea shrimp, etc.), the shrimp industry still maintains its competitiveness and stable development.
For the pangasius industry, despite facing difficulties such as rising shipping costs and slow recovery of import prices, export value will still reach 2 billion USD in 2024, up 9% over the previous year. Traditional markets such as the US, Brazil, Colombia and CPTPP countries have become important driving forces to help the pangasius industry recover.
Meanwhile, the export of exploited seafood (tuna, crab, squid, octopus, shellfish and other marine fish) also recorded success with a turnover of more than 4 billion USD, despite many difficulties in raw material sources and IUU regulations that must be complied with.
According to Ms. Le Hang, Communications Director of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2025, seafood exports are expected to continue to grow better and may return to the 11 billion USD mark of 2022. Besides opportunities, 2025 is also the year when the seafood industry will face many challenges.
Regarding the export opportunities of Vietnam’s seafood industry in 2025, Ms. Le Hang said that many major economies such as the US, China and the European Union (EU) have recorded a recovery in 2024, although the growth rate is clearly differentiated between countries. The global seafood market, especially large markets such as the US, EU, Japan and China, will continue to maintain high demand. African, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets may also expand, creating opportunities for high-quality seafood products from Vietnam.