Vietnam’s seafood exports have shifted dramatically, with China surpassing the United States to become the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of 2025. In total, China spent over USD 1 billion on seafood imports from Vietnam, marking a 47.9% increase from the previous year. This growth was especially pronounced in categories like lobsters and mollusks, where exports surged by nearly 2,000% in some cases.
The shift in trade patterns is attributed to the volatility of US tariff policies, which created uncertainty for exporters. While seafood exports to the US reached USD 898 million in the first half of 2025, a 14.5% increase from the previous year, trade relations were strained. The temporary spike in US demand in May, as businesses rushed to complete orders before new tariffs, was followed by a sharp decline in June.
In contrast, China’s more stable trade policies have provided Vietnamese exporters with greater certainty. This stability, combined with the growth of demand in markets like Japan, South Korea, and Brazil, has prompted companies to diversify and target markets with fewer tariff barriers. Experts suggest that to maintain growth, Vietnamese exporters should focus on enhancing product value and utilising the benefits of free trade agreements.