Vietnamese seafood exporters rush to beat US tariff deadline

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), companies will sharply increase exports to the U.S. in May and June, particularly shrimp and tra (pangasius) fish.

The rush aims to take full advantage of the remaining window before the end of the 90-day grace period – a delay granted to allow time for negotiations after the policy was announced on April 3 and originally set to take effect on April 9.

The new tariff includes a 46-percent reciprocal duty on Vietnamese exports to the U.S..

VASEP data shows that Vietnam's total seafood exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first four months of 2025, a 21-percent year-on-year increase.

Although shipments to the U.S. declined in April, many firms are now speeding up their exports to the market to avoid the high duties that will come into force as of July 9.

Export turnover to the U.S. in May is expected to rise 10-15 percent compared to April, boosted by a wave of urgent contract signings and discount strategies to retain market share.

Shrimp remains the sector’s top performer, earning $1.27 billion in the first four months, up 30 percent year on year.

In April alone, shrimp exports reached $330.8 million, a 15-percent increase from a year earlier, thanks to recovering demand in major markets such as China, the EU, and Japan.

Tra fish exports also fetched $632.7 million in the January-April period, up 9 percent year on year. 

However, the growth stalled in April, with export value totaling $167.7 million – nearly unchanged from the same month last year.

Other products such as tilapia, red tilapia, crab, and mollusks also saw robust growth.

Product improvement, market diversity needed

Despite posting a seven-percent jump in the first four months to $498.4 million, seafood exports to the U.S. fell 15 percent in April to $120.5 million.

VASEP attributed the decline to a more cautious approach from American importers amid the looming tariff hikes.

The association warned that high anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese tra fish and shrimp are driving up costs, prompting importers to seek alternative suppliers such as India and Ecuador.

Technical barriers — including stricter traceability requirements and food safety inspections — are also creating additional hurdles for Vietnamese exporters.

In response to growing trade barriers in the U.S., Vietnamese seafood firms are increasingly turning to alternative markets with free trade agreements with Vietnam, such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea.

Exports to mainland China and Hong Kong reached nearly $710 million in the first four months, a sharp 56-percent rise, making the region Vietnam’s largest seafood market. 

The growth was fueled by strong demand for shrimp, crab, and premium mollusks.

However, momentum may slow in the coming months because of intensifying competition from China’s domestic seafood industry, which is facing U.S. tariffs and shifting focus to Asian markets.

Exports to ASEAN also grew impressively by 25 percent, reaching $218.8 million. Still, experts caution that this market may soon feel pressure from low-cost Chinese seafood as well.

Vietnam’s seafood export landscape is expected to shift notably over the next two months, with the U.S. becoming the key focus as firms rush to make the most of the remaining time before July 9.

However, VASEP stressed that this surge in exports is only a short-term fix.

It is essential to expand into new potential markets and reduce dependence on a few traditional ones, the association added.