AsemconnectVietnam - Seafood exports in the first 10 months of 2025 recorded an impressive growth of 16%, reaching 9.5 billion USD.

Shrimp continues to play the role of "locomotive", pangasius recovers positively in many markets, creating an important driving force for the industry towards the goal of sustainable growth in the fourth quarter and into 2026.
Shrimp led growth, pangasius recovered clearly
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first 10 months of 2025, seafood export turnover reached 9.5 billion USD, up by 16% over the same period of 2024. In particular, shrimp continues to be the main export item, bringing in 3.9 billion USD, up by 22% over the same period of 2024. With the strongest increase in the product group, shrimp plays a leading role in the overall growth of the entire industry.
China and Hong Kong continued to be Vietnam's number 1 shrimp import market with more than 1 billion USD, up 66% over the same period last year. This was also the market with the strongest growth rate, accounting for 28.2% of total shrimp export turnover. Notably, the group of other shrimp increased by 139% and accounted for 65.6% of shrimp export turnover to this market, while the group of live, fresh, frozen shrimp increased by 145%, reflecting strong purchasing power for high-end products such as live lobsters.
Whiteleg shrimp exported to China increased by only 3%, but the group of processed products alone increased by more than 114% - a sign that the Chinese urban market is shifting to convenient consumption. Black tiger shrimp also maintained a stable growth of 7.7%, affirming its sustainable position in major cities such as Guangzhou and Shanghai.
On the other hand, shrimp still faces risks from the policy of tightening border trade and high requirements on traceability. However, it is forecasted that in the fourth quarter of 2025, purchasing power from China may increase slightly due to the festive season and the need to prepare for the Lunar New Year 2026.
Pangasius - the second strategic commodity after the slowdown in the third quarter is gradually recovering. In October of 2025 alone, pangasius exports reached 217 million USD, up by 8% over the same period. In the 10 months, the total turnover reached 1.8 billion USD, up by 9%.
Vietnam's seafood reached 9.5 billion USD in the first 10 months of 2025
Pangasius was still the main export product of the Vietnamese seafood industry.
China and Hong Kong continued to be bright spots with 73 million USD in October, up by 19%. In contrast, the US market decreased by 17% (to 29 million USD), the UK decreased sharply by 33% (to 4 million USD). However, Brazil recorded a slight increase of 1%, showing that purchasing power is starting to stabilize again.
The market of countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) bloc grew strongly with 305 million USD after 10 months, up by 36% and accounting for 17% of total pangasius turnover. Malaysia was particularly prominent with an increase of 37%. In the European Union (EU), exports reached 149 million USD, up by 3%, of which Spain rose impressively with an increase of 22%.
The structure of pangasius products also recorded a positive shift: Frozen fillets reached nearly 1.5 billion USD, up by 11%; frozen - dried - whole pangasius reached 315 million USD, up 0.1%; processed products reached 44 million USD, up by 19%, reflecting the large potential for value-added products.
Fourth quarter momentum and 2026 expectations
After a period of decline in the third quarter, the pangasius market in October of 2025 showed signs of recovery as many major markets increased slightly again. However, VASEP forecasts that some key markets may still decline in the fourth quarter due to high inventories and slow import cycles.
The most important highlight lies in the preliminary conclusion of the 20th administrative review of anti-dumping tax (POR 20) on Vietnamese pangasius exported to the United States, with an anti-dumping tax rate of 0%, significantly improving importer confidence. However, the 20% reciprocal tax still affects profit margins, requiring businesses to continue to expand markets and optimize costs.
In that context, the industry's main strategy will be to promote exports to the CPTPP bloc and the Middle East - markets with preferential tariffs and stable demand. The EU is expected to maintain its growth momentum thanks to a more flexible policy for aquaculture products, creating opportunities for deeply processed products. With positive growth signals from shrimp and pangasius, along with a wide open market, the Vietnamese seafood industry has the opportunity to maintain its breakthrough momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025 and look forward to 2026 with a proactive mindset, expecting a strong and sustainable recovery.
CK
Source: VITIC