Looking at the export structure, shrimp continues to maintain its dominant position, with exports of nearly 410 million USD in September, and over 3.38 billion USD in the first nine months, a year-on-year increase of 20.3%. Fish exports were approximately 191 million USD in September, up 11%, with exports over the first nine months exceeding 1.6 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of nearly 10%. Exports of sea fish and squid and octopus products also saw strong growth, reaching 1.61 billion USD (up 18.5%) and 550 million USD (up 18.7%), respectively. Exports of shellfish increased by over 30%, reaching 192 million USD; while tuna exports decreased slightly by 3.2%, amounting to 705 million USD.
China (including Hong Kong) remains Vietnam's largest export market for aquatic products, despite a slight decrease in September, the cumulative total for the first nine months still increased by 32.1% to 1.76 billion USD. The Japanese and EU markets maintained steady growth, reaching 1.27 billion USD (up 15.6%) and 885 million USD (up 13.3%), respectively. South Korea performed exceptionally well, with exports increasing by nearly 50% in September, and a cumulative total of 645 million USD for the first nine months, a year-on-year increase of 13%. Exports of Vietnamese aquatic products to ASEAN reached 536 million USD (up 23.3%), and to the Middle East reached nearly 295 million USD (up 7.6%), with September alone seeing growth of over 50%.
Le Hang, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, stated that these positive results reflect the enterprises' ability to respond flexibly, accelerating exports before new tariffs and technical barriers took effect, while restructuring market composition, increasing the proportion of the Asian market, and consolidating traditional market share.
Experts believe that to maintain growth momentum, the aquatic industry needs to closely monitor changes in trade policies, adjust strategies in a timely manner, diversify market and product structures. Enhancing value-added, promoting innovation in breeding and processing technologies, and shaping the national brand through food culture and e-commerce will be key to improving the sustainable competitiveness of Vietnamese aquatic products in the international market.