Việt Nam’s seafood sector is on tract to hit a record export revenue of $11.3 billion in 2025. — VNA/VNS Photo
HANOI: Exporters in Vietnam are expanding into new markets with new aquatic product categories, helping the sector overcome global market volatility and achieve unprecedented growth this year.
A shipment of 24 tonnes of Vietnamese tilapia is expected to dock at Brazil’s Port of Santos tomorrow, marking not only a transaction but also a strategic milestone for the country’s fishery sector.
This is the first batch of a 700-tonne order placed by Brazil’s JBS Group – the largest food corporation in South America – from Nam Viet Corp (Navico) in An Giang Province.
According to Navico’s general director Doan Toi, winning the trust of major global corporations like JBS reflects the strong processing capacity, product quality and growing reputation of Vietnamese companies in the world seafood map.
Vietnamese ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi said the 700-tonne tilapia export deal represents progress in bilateral economic cooperation, following the two countries’ agreement to open their farm-produce markets.
Vietnam will import Brazilian beef, while Brazil opens its market to Vietnamese tilapia, tra and basa fish.
As traditional markets show increasing unpredictability, venturing into new destinations is essential to maintain stable growth.
The first shipment of tilapia to Brazil is considered an important “breakthrough step” that could unlock wider access to the South American market.
As the region’s largest economy and a key member of the Mercosur regional grouping, Brazil could serve as a gateway for Vietnamese seafood to enter the region.
The prospects are even brighter as the Industry and Trade Ministry expects to launch negotiations for a Vietnam–Mercosur free trade agreement soon.
According to tuna market expert Nguyen Ha of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Swedish consumers place high value on health, environmental certification, legal fishing practices and supply-chain transparency.
Sustainability, therefore, has become a competitive advantage.
Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden have been rising rapidly, reaching nearly US$4.7mil in the first 10 months of this year, almost double the total export value in 2019.
Meeting Sweden’s strict standards also provides Vietnamese exporters a strong “passport of credibility” to expand into similar markets such as Norway, Denmark and Finland.
This demonstrates Vietnamese firms’ transformation from selling raw materials to offering branded, sustainable-product solutions – an essential shift for the future of the tuna industry.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese tra fish has recently made its debut in sushi served at Japan’s renowned Kura Sushi chain.
Japanese diners have praised the product’s delicate texture and balanced flavour – a remarkable breakthrough given Japan’s long-standing preference for wild-caught seafood over imported freshwater fish. — Viet Nam News/ANN
