According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's seafood exports in the third quarter of 2025 reached 671.02 thousand tons, worth 3.05 billion USD, up 7.8% in volume and 9.1% in value compared to the second quarter of 2025, up 2.7% in volume and 8.5% in value compared to the third quarter of 2024.
In the third quarter of 2025, exports of some seafood products will grow compared to the second quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2024, such as: Pangasius, basa; Cold-fried fish; Fish cakes; Octane. In the first 9 months of 2025, Vietnam's seafood exports reached 1.8 million tons, worth 8.16 billion USD, up 5.7% in volume and 13% in value compared to the first 9 months of 2024. Exports of shrimp of all kinds and seafood products are the largest by value, increasing by 44.1% in volume and 28.9% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
In addition, the export of frozen fish, squid, fish cakes, crabs, and clams increased, contributing to the export results in the first 9 months of 2025.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, seafood exports in the coming time will also face many challenges, due to barriers in tariffs, technical barriers and international regulations, especially in the US market... Therefore, businesses need to diversify the market, focus on deep-processed products, high added value and solve problems related to IUU yellow cards and anti-dumping taxes...
With the export turnover for the first 9 months exceeding the 8 billion USD mark, up 6.7% over the same period in 2024, the Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance) believes that the Vietnamese seafood industry has a fairly solid foundation.
"With this increase, it is forecasted that seafood exports for the whole year of 2025 can reach the 9-10 billion USD mark. The fourth quarter is often the peak period of seafood imports in major markets to serve the year-end holiday season. This is a great opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to break through, increase export orders and affirm their position" - the Statistics Office emphasized.
In the context of the risk of dependence on the United States and the EU, many businesses have accelerated the exploitation of new markets such as ASEAN, the Middle East, South America and the CPTPP. The trend of consuming processed, nutrient-rich seafood in these markets is increasing rapidly. Taking advantage of free trade agreements (CPTPP, EVFTA, RCEP, etc.) will open up a more sustainable growth range, while reducing risks when traditional markets tighten technical barriers.
In the last months of the year, the demand for processed, convenient seafood products that meet the "green - clean - traceable" standards will increase. If Vietnamese enterprises take advantage of this opportunity to launch products that suit the tastes of each market, they will increase added value, improve profit margins instead of competing purely on price.
The government and industry associations are stepping up efforts to remove the IUU "yellow card", while promoting trade talks and supporting businesses to overcome anti-dumping litigations. Policies to support credit, improve logistics infrastructure, and develop safe and sustainable raw material farming areas are also expected to take effect from the end of 2025, creating a favorable environment for exports.
The consumer trend in the world is shifting strongly to safe, environmentally friendly foods with sustainability certificates. Vietnam has the opportunity to take advantage of this trend to enhance its national brand. If businesses accelerate the application of advanced farming technology, environmental management and international certification systems, Vietnamese seafood products will have an outstanding competitive advantage.
In the first 9 months and third quarter of 2025, it can be seen that the Vietnamese seafood industry has recorded positive results in production and export, consumer demand has recovered in many major markets and the rise of key products has affirmed the rapid adaptability of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of many fluctuations in the global market.
2025 is a pivotal year for the Vietnamese seafood industry to clearly shape a sustainable direction, from growth in quantity to quality development, increasing added value, consolidating position in the international market and creating a solid foundation for future development stages.
