Growing sector: A fisherman sails his boat with his day’s catch on a lake in Hanoi. Many Vietnamese seafood companies have proactively expanded their markets to China, Africa and Europe. — AFP
HO CHI MINH CITY: Vietnam’s seafood exports in 2025 were a record US$11.3bil, but experts say the industry needs long-term strategies to ensure sustainable growth.
They were speaking at a conference held by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep) in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb 17 to review the industry’s performance and set tasks for the new year.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Phung Duc Tien, gave credit to the entire supply chain, appreciating the flexibility and proactiveness shown by businesses in an uncertain environment.
The impressive growth in both volume and value was also thanks to the strong direction from the government and the ministry, he said.
But 2026 would be a year of uncertainty for exports, especially to the United States, though Vietnam has adjusted its strategy and stepped up market restructuring in response to changes in US tariff policies, he said. He added that many Vietnamese seafood companies had proactively expanded their markets to China, Africa and Europe.
The industry was also diversifying its products and exporting more aquatic products, such as tilapia and seaweed, and promoting high-tech farming to reduce costs and improve competitiveness, he said.
Le Hang, deputy secretary-general of the Vasep, said that the industry had faced many difficulties since the beginning of 2026, particularly in the US market.
Anti-dumping tax reviews on shrimp, expected in February, could disadvantage businesses, causing shrimp exports to the United States to fall sharply in the early months of the year, she said.
The European Union’s “yellow card” for the country for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing had not yet been lifted, she said.
Switching to other seafood species also faced procedural difficulties in the early stages, she added. These would directly affect exports to the United States and impact other markets.
Large imports in 2025 left many foreign markets with increased inventories in 2026, meaning demand and prices are lower now. Seafood exports this year were forecast to slow down after peaking in 2025. — Viet Nam News/ANN
