Vietnam becomes second-largest seafood supplier to India
Vietnam’s seafood exports to India surged 41.6% in the first seven months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, driven by strong growth in key products such as frozen pangasius and shrimp.
According to customs data, exports to India reached USD 11.4 million from January to July 2025, up 41.6% year-on-year. Frozen pangasius remained the top export item, rising 18.1% in volume and 27.5% in value. Notably, frozen shrimp, the second-most significant category, recorded a dramatic increase of 2,492.4% in volume and 813.9% in value over the same period.
Other key exports also posted substantial growth. Frozen tuna shipments rose nearly 278% in volume, dried anchovies increased about 119%, while frozen squid jumped 1,400% in volume. Particularly, frozen tilapia emerged as the fastest-growing product, surging over 3,900% in volume and nearly 4,600% in value in just six months, positioning it as a new potential star alongside shrimp and pangasius thanks to Vietnam’s favorable farming scale, production capacity, and processing capabilities.
Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) shows that India imported 27,900 tonnes of seafood valued at nearly USD 104 million in the first four months of 2025, up 23.1% in volume and 36.4% in value year-on-year. Vietnam ranked second by volume and fourth by value among suppliers, accounting for 13.22% of imports by volume and 5.84% by value, underscoring its growing foothold in the Indian market.
With exports to traditional markets such as the U.S., EU, and Japan facing challenges due to inflation and technical barriers, expanding into India offers a strategic path for Vietnam to diversify markets, reduce dependency on key partners, and increase value.
However, the Indian market imposes strict requirements on food safety, antibiotic residues, and registration of export processing facilities, presenting significant challenges that Vietnamese businesses must strictly comply with to capitalize on current growth momentum. Competition is also intense, with suppliers from South America and Southeast Asia targeting India as a priority market.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s seafood export turnover reached around USD 6.2 billion in the first seven months of 2025, up 17% year-on-year. The growth reflects a strong recovery in the industry and positive export performance to major markets including China, Japan, and the EU.
Looking ahead, Vietnam’s seafood exports in the latter part of 2025 will face both opportunities and challenges. Major hurdles include a 20% retaliatory tariff imposed by the U.S. from August 7 on Vietnamese imports, affecting shrimp, pangasius, and tuna exports, as well as geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Nevertheless, growth prospects remain promising, particularly for value-added processed products, driven by recovery in markets such as China, ASEAN, and Japan, removal of technical barriers in some EU countries, and preferential tariff advantages under trade agreements including EVFTA, CPTPP, and UKVFTA.
VFM
