Photo: VASEP/FIS

Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector in 2025: Successfully Overcoming Challenges and the Strategic Shift of Leading Businesses

VIET NAM
Monday, January 19, 2026, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

Exports rebound strongly to nearly US$11.3 billion, while major seafood companies pivot markets and products amid rising global trade barriers.

By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s fisheries sector had firmly re-established its growth trajectory, recording an impressive export value of nearly US$11.3 billion, up 12.4% compared to 2024. The result reflects not only the recovery of global seafood consumption after prolonged inflationary pressures, but also the strong adaptability of Vietnamese seafood enterprises in the face of increasingly stringent technical, environmental, and trade regulations in key markets.

According to Ms. Lê Hằng, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the industry’s performance in the final months of the year was particularly noteworthy, highlighting the sector’s ability to capitalize on seasonal demand while proactively responding to upcoming regulatory risks.

Photo: FIS/Stockfile

Strong Q4 and December Surge Driven by Asian Demand

The final quarter of 2025 marked a decisive acceleration. In Q4 2025, Vietnam’s seafood export turnover reached US$3.103 billion, an increase of 10.3% year on year. December alone contributed US$954.5 million, up 9.2%, making it one of the strongest months of the year.

This surge was largely driven by rising demand for year-end festivals in Asian markets, particularly China and Hong Kong, which posted an explosive 22.9% growth in the last quarter. These markets benefited from Vietnam’s geographic proximity, competitive pricing, and improved customs clearance following post-pandemic normalization.

Chinese Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll (Bánh Cuôn Tôm) Frozen 540g TCT Vietnam

December was also a critical window for shipments to the United States, as exporters rushed to deliver goods ahead of stricter regulations taking effect from January 1, 2026. These include the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requirements and a planned import ban on seafood species linked to 12 fisheries not recognized as equivalent by US authorities. In addition, exporters were bracing for the expected announcement of the POR19 shrimp countervailing duty results, scheduled for late February 2026.

Shrimp Leads Growth, Tuna Remains Under Pressure

Growth in Q4 was led by the shrimp sector, which reached US$1.244 billion, up 16.8% year on year. Other harvested and value-added seafood products also recorded strong gains, including squid and octopus (+20.4%) and crab (+20.9%), reflecting improved processing capacity and diversification into higher-margin products.

Frozen Takoyaki Semi-finished Takoyaki, Ready-to-eat Fried

By contrast, tuna exports remained a weak point, declining 10.8% in Q4. The downturn was attributed to multiple factors: pressure from US MMPA compliance, the ongoing IUU “yellow card” warning from the European Commission, and persistent difficulties in sourcing legal and traceable raw materials. These challenges continue to weigh heavily on Vietnam’s offshore fishing sector.

Business Landscape: Resilience of the Industry’s “Leading Figures”

The year 2025 also marked a consolidation phase for major seafood exporters, with large enterprises accounting for a significant share of total industry turnover. The Top 10 export companies continued to play a pivotal role, especially in the shrimp and pangasius segments.

SourcE: VASEP | Click on the image to enlarge it

Leading the rankings was STAPIMEX, with export turnover of US$309.8 million. Close behind was shrimp giant Minh Phú Seafood Corporation, whose combined exports from its Cà Mau and Hậu Giang entities exceeded US$542 million. In the pangasius sector, Vĩnh Hoàn Corporation maintained its number-one position with US$249.0 million in exports.

Notably, the emergence of companies such as Phát Lợi, An Hải, and Tài Kim Anh in the Top 10 underscores a strategic shift toward deep-processed products, value-added seafood, and stronger penetration of the Chinese market, where demand for ready-to-eat and premium products continues to rise.

Strategic Market Shifts and Outlook for 2026

Industry analysts note that the success of Vietnamese seafood exporters in 2025 was largely driven by effective use of free trade agreements (FTAs) and timely market diversification. When the US market faced difficulties due to reciprocal tariffs introduced in August 2025, exporters quickly expanded shipments to the CPTPP bloc, where exports surpassed US$3 billion, and to China, which reached approximately US$2.4 billion in import value.

However, Q4 data also clearly highlights mounting pressure from non-tariff barriers, particularly the IUU yellow card and MMPA regulations, which disproportionately affect harvested seafood. Maintaining growth momentum in 2026 will depend on enterprises’ ability to improve supply-chain transparency, ensure full traceability, and optimize production costs amid volatile global trade policies and rising sustainability requirements.

With a solid foundation built in 2025, Vietnam’s fisheries sector has strong grounds to pursue sustainable and higher-value growth, even as it faces anticipated challenges from the US market, stricter green certification standards, and evolving environmental compliance demands in 2026 and beyond.

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