AsemconnectVietnam - In March 2025, pangasius fish prices rose to the highest level in three years. Specifically, small-sized fish under one kilogram were priced at 31,500 VND/kg, while larger-sized fish, mainly exported to China, reached 33,500 VND/kg — an increase of nearly 10,000 VND/kg compared to the same period last year.

Farmers made a profit of 7,000 VND/kg. The price increase was attributed to limited supply, as farmers reduced stocking density due to erratic weather conditions, leading to slower fish growth. Additionally, low and prolonged prices last year caused heavy losses, leaving many farmers without capital to reinvest. However, the export market has yet to show significant improvement.
Shrimp prices remained high throughout March 2025. The price of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) sized 20 pcs/kg reached 220,000 VND/kg; size 40 pcs/kg was 129,500 VND/kg; sizes 50 and 60 pcs/kg were 116,500 VND/kg and 110,500 VND/kg, respectively; size 80 pcs/kg was 98,500 VND/kg. Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) of larger sizes were priced at 381,000 VND/kg for 10 pcs/kg and 342,000 VND/kg for 12 pcs/kg.
Domestic Production
According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam’s total seafood output in February 2025 was estimated at 650,500 tons, up 4% compared to February 2024, comprising:
• Fish: 479,600 tons, up 4.1%
• Shrimp: 69,300 tons, up 5.4%
• Other seafood: 101,600 tons, up 2.6%.
Aquaculture output was estimated at 362,500 tons, up 4.6%, including:
• Fish: 258,700 tons, up 5%
• Shrimp: 58,000 tons, up 5.8%
• Other aquaculture products: 45,800 tons, up 1.1%.
Pangasius production alone was estimated at 121,700 tons, an increase of 4.6%. Shrimp production saw a good increase, with whiteleg shrimp output estimated at 36,500 tons (up 7.7%) and black tiger shrimp at 16,700 tons (up 3.1%).
Capture fisheries output was estimated at 288,000 tons, up 3.2%, comprising:
• Fish: 220,900 tons, up 3.1%
• Shrimp: 11,300 tons, up 3.2%
• Other seafood: 55,800 tons, up 3.9%.
Marine capture fisheries accounted for 270,500 tons, up 3.3%, including:
• Fish: 208,300 tons, up 3.1%
• Shrimp: 10,100 tons, up 4%
• Other seafood: 52,100 tons, up 4.3%.
In the first two months of 2025, the total seafood production was estimated at 1,242,900 tons, up 2.4% year-on-year, including:
• Fish: 922,200 tons, up 2.5%
• Shrimp: 125,100 tons, up 4.4%
• Other seafood: 195,600 tons, up 0.9%.
Imports
According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, seafood imports in the first two months of 2025 reached nearly USD 491.63 million, up 20.96% compared to the same period in 2024.
Indonesia was the largest supplier, accounting for 16.33% of total seafood imports, valued at over USD 80.28 million, up 38.16%. India ranked second, accounting for 15.84%, with over USD 77.85 million, an increase of 79.97%. Imports from Norway were up 14.25%, valued at over USD 51.67 million, accounting for 10.51%.
Imports from RCEP countries totaled nearly USD 189.71 million, accounting for 38.59% of the total; from CPTPP countries, imports rose by 57.88% to nearly USD 65.55 million, accounting for 13.33%. Imports from the EU accounted for 1.18%, valued at over USD 5.78 million, up 50.96%. Imports from Southeast Asia made up 19.08%, totaling over USD 93.81 million, up 28.44%.
Exports
According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, seafood exports in the first two months of 2025 reached nearly USD 1.43 billion, up 18.27% compared to the same period in 2024.
China was the largest export market, accounting for 21.66% of total seafood export value, at over USD 309.55 million, up 70.33% year-on-year. Japan ranked second, accounting for 15.56%, at nearly USD 222.38 million, up 12.94%. Exports to the U.S. increased by 14.44%, reaching USD 215.82 million, accounting for 15.1%.
Exports to RCEP countries increased by 28.01% to nearly USD 789.98 million, making up 55.29% of total seafood exports. Exports to CPTPP countries rose by 10.13% to nearly USD 357.96 million, accounting for 25.05%. Exports to the EU accounted for 9.46%, valued at over USD 135.18 million, up 19%. Exports to Southeast Asia represented 6.81%, at nearly USD 97.27 million, up 12.29%.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic