SHRIMP, TRA FISH BOOST VIETNAM’S SEAFOOD EXPORTS IN JAN-SEPT

Workers process fish at a seafood facility - PHOTO: ARCHIVES

HCMC – Vietnam’s seafood exports amounted to more than US$8.3 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 15.5% from the same period in 2024, with shrimp and tra fish shipments leading the growth.

Data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) showed that seafood exports in September alone expanded 7.5% year-on-year to nearly US$991 million. This brought the total value in January-September to US$8.33 billion, a sharp rebound after a period of stagnation.

Shrimp exports remained the main driver, bringing in over US$3.38 billion in the first three quarters of the year, up 20.3%, fueled by stable demand from the U.S., Japan, and the EU, and increasing orders from Asian markets.

Tra fish also kept its growth momentum, with export revenue exceeding US$1.6 billion, up nearly 10%. The recovery in demand from China, the U.S., and several Middle Eastern countries has strengthened Vietnam’s global foothold in tra fish trade.

Marine fish, squid, and octopus exports also rose strongly. Shipments of marine fish reached US$1.61 billion, up 18.5%, squid and octopus nearly US$550 million, up 18.7%, and shell mollusks more than 30% to US$192 million. Tuna exports, however, dipped slightly to US$705 million.

China and Hong Kong continued to be Vietnam’s largest seafood buyers, with imports valued at US$1.76 billion in January-September, a surge of 32.1%.

Meanwhile, the U.S. market showed signs of slowdown, with September sales down over 6%. Still, the nine-month total stood at US$1.41 billion, up 6.8%, despite the impact of anti-dumping duties and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Japan and the EU maintained steady growth, with respective values of US$1.27 billion and US$885 million. Exports to South Korea amounted to US$645 million, while shipments to ASEAN and the Middle East reached US$536 million and nearly US$295 million, respectively.

Industry experts emphasized the need for the sector to stay resilient against policy shifts, diversify export markets, and step up investment in value-added and eco-friendly products to sustain growth.

They also highlighted the role of technology in aquaculture, processing, and brand promotion through culinary channels and e-commerce in enhancing the value and market share of Vietnamese seafood.

Source: The Saigon Times