AsemconnectVietnam - According to the latest data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export, in the first 11 months of 2025, CPTPP member countries were the largest export market for Vietnamese seafood.

CPTPP - the main market for Vietnamese seafood.
Accordingly, the data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) showed that in November of 2025, Vietnamese seafood exports reached nearly US$990 million, an increase of 6.6% compared to the same period of 2024.
In the context of a volatile global market, Ms. Le Hang - Deputy General Secretary of VASEP - believes that this result showed the proactive approach of businesses in accelerating shipments before the US is expected to apply new regulations on seafood imports and before the final outcome of the anti-dumping case on shrimp. According to statistics from this agency, in November of 2025, many key product groups recorded significant increases compared to November of 2024. Shrimp exports reached over US$385 million, an increase of 11.7%, with both whiteleg shrimp and lobster experiencing double-digit growth. Pangasius exports reached nearly US$197 million, an increase of 9.7%; other fish, squid, and mollusks continued to show an improving trend.
Regarding export markets, in November of 2025, exports to CPTPP countries saw strong growth, followed by Hong Kong (China), the EU, Brazil, etc., while exports to the US market decreased slightly by nearly 5%.
Totally for the first 11 months of 2025, seafood exports reached over US$10.5 billion, an increase of 14.6% compared to the same period. Of that total, shrimp exports reached US$4.31 billion, a 21.2% increase, continuing to be the leading sector in growth; pangasius exports exceeded US$2 billion, a 9% increase; tuna exports reached US$855.7 million; and mollusks, marine fish, and value-added products maintained double-digit growth.
Regarding markets, in the first 11 months of 2025, the CPTPP accounted for the largest share at 27.2% and saw a strong increase of 24.3%; Hong Kong (China) increased by 30.6%; the EU increased by 11.9%; while the US reached US$1.78 billion, an 8.1% increase, but showed signs of slowing down in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead to December of 2025, VASEP predicts that seafood exports will decrease, with a slight decline compared to November, due to seasonal factors and the cautious sentiment of businesses when trading with the United States. Many businesses are temporarily restricting new seafood orders to the United States until official guidance on the new regulations is issued. However, shrimp exports may remain at or only slightly lower than November levels due to stable demand in Japan, the EU, and the CPTPP.
Based on the results of the first 11 months and the outlook for the end of the year, Vietnam's seafood exports are expected to set a new record in 2025, reaching US$11.2 - US$11.3 billion, the highest level ever. Specifically, shrimp exports are expected to exceed US$4.6 billion, becoming a new record-setting sector; pangasius exports are estimated at over US$2.1 billion thanks to recovering demand in Asia and China; and tuna exports are projected to reach over US$900 million, nearing the US$1 billion mark.
With positive growth results in 2025, Vietnam's seafood industry will continue to strengthen its supply position in many major markets. However, the tightening of US import requirements from 2026 poses a significant challenge. Businesses need to prepare thoroughly regarding supply chain transparency, compliance with labor standards, combating IUU fishing, and increasing the proportion of value-added products to meet the increasingly high demands of the market.
Focus on leveraging rules of origin
As VASEP has reported, in the first 11 months of 2025, the main export market for Vietnamese seafood was the CPTPP member countries.
Since its entry into force, the CPTPP has been considered an important stepping stone for the seafood industry to "take off." The implementation of FTAs always creates favorable conditions for businesses to expand and diversify markets, allowing Vietnamese seafood to participate more deeply in the global production and supply chain.
The seafood industry is one of the sectors that has taken full advantage of opportunities from FTAs in general and the CPTPP in particular. This is not entirely surprising, as the seafood industry in particular, and the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors in general, have a relatively high level of utilization of preferential treatment from FTAs. This is because we primarily use domestic raw materials, thus meeting the rules of origin.
The CPTPP is considered an important stepping stone for the seafood industry to "take off."
However, while the utilization of the CPTPP is good in some new markets, in some markets where Vietnam has multiple FTAs simultaneously, the question is which agreement brings the most benefits to businesses.
In addition, seafood businesses have been considered pioneers in integration, both in the past and in subsequent FTAs, in utilizing tariff preferences and meeting the rules of origin.
Besides the advantages, according to VASEP, the biggest difficulty for the seafood industry, hindering the utilization of tariff benefits, is the shortage of domestic raw materials, especially seafood. Meanwhile, the CPTPP bloc is a major consumer of Vietnamese seafood, particularly in the Japanese market.
To meet the demands of orders and the needs of countries around the world, businesses are forced to import raw materials from CPTPP countries and other countries. This means we are giving opportunities to other markets when we have the advantage of 0% import tariffs.
With raw material shortages and rising input costs, many businesses are choosing to produce high-value-added goods and take advantage of import tariff preferences under the CPTPP Agreement to both stabilize employment for workers and utilize processing capacity.
There is still significant potential for Vietnamese seafood in the CPTPP market bloc. However, it is crucial that we secure a stable domestic supply of raw materials, as well as diversify our import sources from other member countries.
CK
Source: VITIC/ moit.gov.vn