According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), seafood exports to the US reached approximately USD 905 million in the first six months of the year, up nearly 18 per cent year-on-year. In May alone, exports to the US hit nearly USD 195 million, the highest monthly figure so far this year, representing a 61 per cent increase from April. The surge was driven by efforts from Vietnamese exporters to accelerate shipments ahead of anticipated new US tariff measures.
However, after the sharp rise, the US market cooled. In June, seafood exports to the US fell nearly 18 per cent year-on-year, with shrimp exports down over 36 per cent and tuna dropping more than 40 per cent.
“Many US importers are cautious due to rising trade tensions, cutting orders, reducing volumes or switching to short-term monthly contracts,” VASEP quoted a Vietnamese company as saying.
Meanwhile, China emerged as a key growth market. In the first six months of 2025, Vietnam's seafood exports to China surpassed USD 1.1 billion, up nearly 45 per cent from the same period last year. This marked the first time China has overtaken the US as Vietnam's top seafood buyer.
According to VASEP, although China has tightened quality control standards, its more stable trade policies have enabled Vietnamese firms to plan production more effectively and secure longer-term contracts.
The association noted signs of recovery across the seafood sector, with some major firms reporting strong results. For example, Nam Viet Corporation (ANV), a leading pangasius exporter, posted revenue of over VND 73 billion (USD 2.87 million) in the first half, up 96 per cent year-on-year and its highest level in a decade.
Nam Viet’s net profit reached over VND 12 billion (USD 471,200), up 9 per cent, also a record for the first half of any year. A company representative said Asian and American markets had performed well, with China standing out as a key growth driver. The company has already completed more than 92 per cent of its annual revenue target and 71 per cent of its profit goal within just six months.
VASEP forecast that shifts in export destinations will continue in the second half of 2025, as Vietnamese exporters adapt to evolving tariff regimes, technical standards and traceability requirements. In addition to deepening access to China and CPTPP member countries, many firms are working to maintain their US market share by focusing on sustainable, green production models and increasing value-added processing.
While the US remains a premium market with high prices, Vietnamese exporters say growing policy risks are forcing them to diversify. Several companies have restructured their export strategies to expand into South Korea, Japan, the EU and CPTPP markets. At the same time, they are investing heavily in cold chain logistics, technology and traceability systems to enhance competitiveness.
In total, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached approximately USD 4.4 billion in the first half of 2025, up nearly 7 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. Although the figures show a recovery from last year’s slump, the industry has yet to return to its 2022 peak.
