The United States and China are still two major markets
According to Ms. Le Hang, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), 2025 promises to be a promising year to boost exports to markets, including target and potential markets such as the United States, China, ASEAN and the Middle East. Specifically, current US economy is recovering, new tariff policy adds opportunities and challenges. The country's economy is forecast to continue to stabilize and recover strongly in 2025, bringing great opportunities for Vietnamese seafood industry. In 2024, Vietnam's seafood exports to the United States recorded a growth rate of 16%, reaching over 1.8 billion USD. Key products such as whiteleg shrimp, tiger shrimp, pangasius, tuna, crab and swimming crab all had positive growth.
One of important factors contributing to the increase in seafood consumption in the United States is the rapid growth in workers' wages, surpassing increase in consumer prices. This could lead to a trend of increasing food consumption, including seafood. In addition, the US Federal Reserve (Fed)'s loosening of monetary policy will also be a driving force for the country's economy in 2025.
However, major challenge for Vietnam's seafood exports to the United States comes from new administration's tax policy, especially risk of disruption to international trade and congestion at seaports due to changes in tariffs. These factors can significantly affect trade flows and increase transportation costs.
In addition to the United States, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) stated that for China, this is one of the key markets and has a strategic position for the Vietnamese seafood industry. China's geographical advantage helps lower logistics costs compared to other major markets, along with stable growth of the Chinese economy, which will be a strong driving force for Vietnam's seafood exports.
However, Vietnam's seafood industry faces strong competition from the Chinese domestic market, especially when China's exports to the United States may decrease due to new tariff policies. In addition, China's increased seafood exports to ASEAN markets, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines create great pressure on Vietnamese seafood products.
In this context, Vietnam can increase its market share in the US market, when China is affected by the trade war and tariff issues. However, competition from Chinese seafood products in international markets remains a significant challenge.
Middle East: Increasing demand for seafood imports
Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) also acknowledged that ASEAN and Asian countries are forecast to lead the way in driving global economic growth by 2025. Despite competition from countries such as China and India, ASEAN is still a promising market for Vietnamese seafood.
However, seafood consumption in ASEAN markets may be affected by the decline of the middle class in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy. At the same time, Thailand is also having difficulty recovering its economy after the pandemic. However, compared to markets such as the EU and Japan, ASEAN is still considered a potential destination for Vietnamese seafood exports in 2025.
The Middle East market, although accounting for less than 4% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, is a promising market. Demand for seafood in Middle Eastern countries is increasing rapidly, especially as countries in this region are shifting from oil-dependent economies to developing non-oil industries, such as tourism, technology and food processing.
Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait all depend on seafood imports to meet their consumption needs. Therefore, the demand for seafood imports from countries such as China, India and Vietnam continue to increase in the coming time.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn