Seafood exports to EU record strong growth.
Citing customs data, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that in June 2025, Vietnam’s basa exports reached USD 194 million, up 13% from June 2024.
This encouraging result was driven by a robust recovery in the U.S. market: basa exports to the U.S. in June 2025 reached USD 34 million, a 23% rise year‑on‑year. Facing rising U.S. tariffs, Vietnamese basa continues to perform strongly thanks to its unique market position, without competition from other countries.
EU AS A “SAFE HAVEN” FOR SHRIMP
In contrast to basa, exports of other seafood products to the U.S. fell sharply due to increased duties. In June 2025, total Vietnamese seafood exports to the U.S. declined by 26.5% year‑on‑year; shrimp exports plunged by 37%.
However, the EU has emerged as a stable growth market for Vietnamese shrimp. In the first half of 2025, shrimp exports to the EU exceeded USD 252 million—up 16% from H1 2024—accounting for 12% of Vietnam’s total shrimp export value. EU has thus been the most stable growth market for Vietnamese shrimp in early 2025. Key EU markets recorded notable increases: Germany up 24%, Belgium up 31%, France nearly 20%.
According to Rabobank and Kontali data, EU shrimp import demand has been steadily rising since early 2024. In H1 2025 alone, shrimp imports into the EU increased by an estimated 25%, and sales to other European countries rose by 8%.
By product segment, whiteleg shrimp remains the core with exports of USD 206 million—81.9% of total shrimp exports to the EU—and grew 17.8%. Within this, processed shrimp (HS16) reached USD 97.4 million (+17%) and live/fresh/frozen shrimp (HS03) USD 108.7 million (+18.6%). Black tiger shrimp export stood at USD 25 million (9.9% share), down 7.1% year‑on‑year, with frozen down 7.6%, processed down 3.9%, indicating weak demand in the EU.
“Other shrimp” rose to USD 20.7 million (+33.2%), and the processed other‑shrimp segment (HS16) surged by 50%, reflecting the EU’s shift toward consuming non‑traditional sea‑shrimp varieties and high‑value processed products—aligned with growing preferences for convenience and food safety.
Ms. Kim Thu, shrimp market analyst at VASEP, believes that with challenges in the U.S., the EU will stand out as a prime export destination.
To boost shrimp exports to the EU, she advises exporters to meet strict EU technical requirements. Importers increasingly demand: transparency and traceable origin; compliance with certifications such as ASC, GlobalG.A.P, Organic.
Meanwhile, the EU favors high‑quality branded packaging, especially peeled whiteleg shrimp, naturally raised black tiger shrimp, and eco‑certified products. Therefore, Vietnamese exporters seeking to expand into the EU need targeted marketing strategies to build their brand. They should reposition competition from pricing to focus on quality, sustainability, and transparency.
SEAFOOD EXPORTS FACE CHALLENGES IN BOTH U.S. AND EU
Customs statistics show that in June 2025, tuna exports from Vietnam totaled over USD 67 million, down 21% from June 2024. Concerned about U.S. countervailing duties, many tuna exporters proactively halted shipments to the U.S. to avoid high tariffs. As a result, tuna exports to the U.S. in June 2025 fell to USD 18 million—a 41% drop year‑on‑year. Nevertheless, the U.S. remained Vietnam’s largest tuna market, with USD 184 million in exports during the first half of 2025, nearly 39% of total tuna export value.
VASEP cautions that seafood exports face rising risks in the U.S. market: U.S. countervailing duties remain a concern; ambiguous origin regulations (e.g. transshipment rules, 40‑20‑40 thresholds) carry risk of high duties or import bans. Under the U.S. MMPA, NOAA has not yet recognized Vietnam’s marine mammal protection measures—including squid‑related fisheries—meaning exports of squid and octopus to the U.S. could be banned from January 1, 2026.
While shrimp may find a “safe haven” in the EU, other seafood faces steep barriers due to Vietnam retaining the EU’s IUU “yellow card.” Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU in June 2025 were USD 16 million, down 17% year‑on‑year. Major EU markets saw steep declines: the Netherlands down 30%, Italy down 32%. Besides the IUU yellow card, economic weakness in Southern Europe and rising logistics costs are seen as directly depressing seafood consumption.
“In H1 2025, tuna exports to CPTPP markets posted strong growth—USD 62 million, up 11% from a year earlier. Exports to Japan and Canada rose sharply by 24% and 15%, respectively,” said Ms. Nguyen Ha, tuna market analyst at VASEP.
According to Ms. Nguyen Ha, Vietnam’s duty‑free tuna processing and canning quota to the EU under EVFTA (11,500 tonnes/year) is typically used up within the first 4–5 months. Once the quota is exhausted, exporters face high MFN duties, reducing competitiveness and risking loss of EU buyers.
In early years after EVFTA, 80–100% of Vietnamese‑origin tuna benefited from quota tariffs. But in the past two years that rate has fallen sharply—down to as low as 30%—due to insufficient documentation to prove origin and limited volume meeting EVFTA origin rules.
In this context, she suggests that the “safe havens” for tuna and seafood exports may lie in CPTPP markets and East Asia.
VASEP encourages exporters to proactively diversify markets—Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, Thailand remain steady pillars—and further seize opportunities among other CPTPP members.
Additionally, firms should standardize documentation and procedures, invest in quality and origin traceability systems to ensure transparency. To meet strict environmental and traceability requirements from the EU and U.S., businesses should deepen cooperation with fishers and invest in transparent traceability systems to secure access to sustainable markets.
Source: vneconomy.vn
