Vietnam's seafood exports reached US$8 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with the EU accounting for 10.6% of the market share.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), in the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam's seafood exports reached approximately US$8 billion, with products present in more than 160 countries and territories. Of that, the EU market accounted for 10.6% of total export turnover.

At the Vietnam-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum 2025, Ms. To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy Secretary General of Vasep, informed that in the EU market, the demand for seafood imports is estimated at over 30 billion EUR per year, making it the world's second largest seafood import market, after China. However, Vietnamese goods only account for a small proportion of the total import value. Major EU partners for seafood imports currently include Norway, Ecuador, and Canada.

“Since the EVFTA came into effect in August 2020, Vietnam’s seafood exports to the EU-27 have reached US$958.7 million and are expected to increase to nearly US$1.2 billion by 2025. Although there hasn’t been a breakthrough in market share over the past five years, the EVFTA still plays an important role in maintaining the stable growth momentum of Vietnam-EU trade amidst a volatile global economy,” Ms. Lan assessed.

Since the EVFTA agreement came into effect in August 2020, seafood exports to the EU have reached US$958.7 million and are expected to increase to nearly US$1.2 billion by 2025. Although there hasn't been a breakthrough in market share, the EVFTA plays a crucial role in maintaining the stable growth momentum of Vietnam-EU trade amidst a volatile global economy.

While the US imposes tariffs on many imported goods, the EU has become a safe destination with less policy risk, attracting businesses from Vietnam, India, and Indonesia to shift their orders to the region.

According to VASEP Deputy Secretary General To Thi Tuong Lan, the five largest seafood import markets for Vietnam in the EU are currently the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, accounting for 68% of total export turnover. Vietnam has exported seafood to 26 countries in the EU bloc, with significant potential for expansion into Southern European markets and niche markets.

Among export categories to the EU, pangasius is considered to have great growth potential, with export value to the EU currently accounting for only 8.4% of Vietnam's total pangasius export value. This product has advantages in its complete production chain, ensuring food safety and traceability.

Shrimp is also a promising commodity, with Vietnam being the third largest supplier to Europe, with over 50% of its export value being value-added products. Notably, the rapid shift towards high-tech farming models helps increase productivity, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.

In the context of the EU market increasingly prioritizing quality, sustainability, and transparency, the Vietnamese fisheries sector needs to develop a comprehensive strategy based on four main pillars to maintain and expand its market share in the coming period.

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Author: Hai Minh

Tags: Ministry of Industry and Trade , EVFTA, Seafood Exports

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thi-truong-nuoc-ngoai/xuat-khau-thuy-san-viet-nam-dat-8-ty-usd-trong-9-thang-2025-eu-chiem-10-6-thi-phan.html