AsemconnectVietnam - In September 2025, domestic raw shrimp prices remained high due to limited supply. Export pangasius prices increased as raw fish availability tightened and fingerling survival rates were low.

Many farmers tended to hold back fish in anticipation of higher prices. Unfavorable weather conditions such as heavy rains and temperature fluctuations raised farming costs, further reinforcing the price uptrend. Meanwhile, the shortage of fingerlings discouraged farmers from selling small fish, leading to a supply deficit lasting through the end of August. With prices already at their highest levels in three years, it is forecast that once processing plants run out of reserved stocks, farm-gate purchase prices will continue to rise.
Imports
According to preliminary data from Vietnam Customs, seafood imports in August 2025 reached nearly USD278.51 million, down 5.69% from July 2025. In the first eight months of 2025, seafood imports totaled over USD2.15 billion, up 28.69% year-on-year.
From January–August 2025, Vietnam imported seafood worth USD794.79 million from RCEP markets, USD377.66 million from CPTPP partners, and USD368.04 million from ASEAN, up 31.42%, 34.35%, and 48.47% respectively compared with the same period of 2024.
India remained the largest supplier, accounting for 15.09% of Vietnam’s total seafood imports with USD325.11 million, up sharply by 97.59% year-on-year. In August alone, imports from India reached USD48.61 million (+18.92% MoM).
Indonesia followed with USD307.57 million in the first eight months (+63.25% YoY, 14.27% share), though August imports declined 4.49% to USD35.62 million. Norway ranked third, with USD235.03 million (+14.79% YoY, 10.91% share).
Japan, China, and Chile were the smallest of Vietnam’s “hundred-million-USD suppliers” in Jan–Aug 2025. Japan surged the fastest (+51.88%, USD189.83 million, 8.81% share), while China slipped slightly (-0.46%, USD177.98 million, 8.26% share). Chile rose 30% to USD100.56 million.
Among mid-tier suppliers: Taiwan (China) recorded USD97.92 million (-20.4% YoY); Russia USD72.58 million (-3.64% YoY); the US USD59.66 million (+75.73% YoY); South Korea USD58.93 million (+11.05% YoY); the UK USD37.87 million (+49.3% YoY); and Canada USD33.73 million (-14.68% YoY). Denmark stood out with a surge of 143.05% to USD16.44 million. Thailand, despite a sharp 117% jump in August alone, still posted a cumulative decline of 20.17% YoY, reaching USD12.07 million.
Exports
According to Vietnam Customs, seafood exports in August 2025 reached over USD1.07 billion, up 10.56% MoM. Cumulatively, exports in the first eight months of 2025 totaled nearly USD7.16 billion, up 13.46% YoY. With upcoming holidays and festivals, the last months of the year represent the best window for Vietnam’s seafood sector to accelerate shipments and meet annual targets.
China, the US, and Japan remained the top three markets, accounting for 52.28% of total exports (over USD1 billion). Exports to China rose 39.72% to USD1.42 billion; to the US rose 6.37% to USD1.24 billion; and to Japan rose 11.05% to USD1.09 billion. In August 2025 alone, shipments to these three markets reached USD215.85 million (+8.03%), USD189.43 million (+26.54%), and USD164.83 million (+18.74%) respectively.
Exports to RCEP markets in Jan–Aug 2025 grew 19.9% YoY to USD3.72 billion (52.02% share). CPTPP markets rose 7.21% to USD1.94 billion (27.17% share). EU markets accounted for 10.3% with USD737.13 million (+9.33% YoY). ASEAN markets reached USD452.94 million (+22.07%, 6.33% share).
Among the top 12 “hundred-million-USD” markets: South Korea reached USD539.72 million (+5.76% YoY); Hong Kong (China) ranked last with USD100.07 million (+3.02%, 1.4% share). Notable were Brazil, up 51.55% YoY to USD115.74 million, and Thailand, up 30.51% to USD195.33 million.
Within the “tens-of-millions-USD” group: Malaysia led with USD84.56 million (+17.44% YoY); Italy USD72.49 million (+8.62%); the Philippines USD71.68 million (+23.76%); Mexico USD66.7 million (-6.52%); Saudi Arabia USD63.9 million (+18.66%); Singapore USD63.03 million (+9.56%); and Spain USD51.96 million (+6%).
By Product
Shrimp remained the top earner with USD2.97 billion (+23% YoY). Notably, lobster led with USD536 million (+194%). Pangasius also rebounded, reaching USD1.42 billion (+9.7%).
By contrast, tuna exports stood at USD633 million (-2.3%), showing instability in both supply and demand. Mollusks (squid, octopus, bivalves) jumped over 20% to nearly USD649 million.
• Pangasius: In August 2025, pangasius exports reached USD200 million (+5% YoY). Cumulatively, Jan–Aug exports exceeded USD1.4 billion (+10% YoY). Frozen pangasius fillet remained the key product, contributing over USD1.1 billion (+11% YoY). Despite uneven growth across markets, pangasius exports showed a steady recovery trend.
• Shrimp: Shrimp exports recorded strong double-digit growth. In August 2025, exports hit USD479 million (+19% YoY). In Jan–Aug, they reached USD2.97 billion (+23%), maintaining solid growth momentum. VASEP noted that with demand expected to reach record highs this year, the EU remains a key market, particularly for deeply processed, certified sustainable, and traceable shrimp products.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic