Vietnam's Aquaculture 2025: $11B Exports and Green Revolution
Vietnam's Aquaculture Enters a New Era
Vietnam's aquaculture industry is witnessing a powerful transformation in 2025, with export revenue projected to reach $11 billion USD, up 13.2% year-on-year. In the first 11 months, exports already reached $10.38 billion USD, cementing Vietnam's position as one of the world's leading aquaculture powerhouses.
Impressive Production Growth
Aquaculture production in the first half of 2025 reached 4.5 million tonnes, up 3.1% compared to 2024. Aquaculture farming contributed 2.57 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 60% of total output. Total annual production is expected to reach 9.7-9.8 million tonnes, maintaining sustainable growth momentum.
Export Market Diversification
Vietnam's three largest export markets remain:
- China: 20.2% market share
- United States: 17.6% market share
- Japan: 15% market share
Key products include shrimp (projected $3.6-3.8 billion USD), pangasius, tuna, and other aquatic products. The market diversification strategy has helped the industry mitigate risks from global trade volatility.
High-Tech Revolution in Aquaculture
High-Tech Shrimp Farming - Breakthrough Achievement
Coastal provinces are vigorously deploying high-tech shrimp farming models. Vinh Long province targets 4,000 hectares of high-tech shrimp farming by end of 2025, with production of nearly 6,500 tonnes, and plans to expand by an additional 120 hectares during 2025-2030.
Advanced technologies are being widely applied:
- Water quality monitoring systems: Real-time sensors tracking oxygen, pH, temperature
- Automated aeration systems: Optimizing pond conditions
- Probiotic and biofloc technology: Improving water quality, reducing antibiotic dependence
- Lined ponds: Better disease control, 3x production efficiency increase
Marine Aquaculture - Unlimited Potential
Quang Ninh is leading marine aquaculture development with first 11-month production reaching 167,000 tonnes (93.8% of plan). The province has planned:
- 50,001 hectares inland aquaculture
- 45,100 hectares marine aquaculture (marine fish and mollusks)
- 817 individuals allocated 503 hectares of sea areas
- 44 decisions allocating sea areas totaling 2,316 hectares
The province is developing high-tech marine aquaculture models combined with tourism in Van Don and Ha Long special economic zones.
"Green Farming" Trend - Sustainable Future
VietShrimp 2025: "Greening Farming"
The VietShrimp 2025 exhibition with the theme "Green farming" gathered over 200 booths, focusing on:
- Expanding sustainable aquaculture models
- Upgrading value chains in aquafeed systems
- Applying Industry 4.0 technologies for greener production
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050
Integrated Farming Models
Innovative models are delivering high efficiency:
- Mangrove-shrimp farming in Mekong Delta: Combining shrimp ponds with natural mangroves, improving water quality and biodiversity
- High-value fish species conversion: Soc Trang farmers switching to snakehead, seabass, catfish, with higher profit margins and lower disease risks
- Wastewater treatment systems: Sedimentation ponds, nursery ponds, water storage ponds occupying 70% of area, only 30% for direct rearing ponds
International Exhibition 2026 - New Foundation
Aquaculture Vietnam 2026 & VietShrimp Asia 2026
For the first time, the two largest aquaculture exhibitions will be co-located in Ho Chi Minh City, creating a powerful platform connecting the entire aquaculture value chain:
- 200+ exhibitors
- 7,000+ professional visitors from over 30 countries
- 8,800 m² exhibition space
- Conferences, technical seminars, B2B business matchmaking
The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge aquaculture technologies, sustainability solutions, inspection services, digital tools, and value chain optimization systems.
Challenges and Solutions
Current Obstacles
Vietnam's aquaculture industry still faces numerous challenges:
- Water pollution: Due to overcrowding in shrimp and fish farms
- Disease outbreaks: Especially in shrimp farming (EHP microsporidian, white feces disease)
- Climate change: Irregular temperature swings, extreme weather events
- Fragmented infrastructure: Underdeveloped logistics, scattered production
- International standards: Increasingly strict requirements from EU and US
Implemented Solutions
Government and industry are implementing comprehensive solutions:
- Infrastructure investment: Nearly $300 million upgrading over 50 farming zones
- Value chain integration: Linking hatcheries, feed suppliers, disease experts, processors
- Environmental monitoring: Early warning systems, regular monitoring
- Digital transformation: Digital technology for disaster and environmental alerts
- Credit and insurance: Developing specialized credit mechanisms, risk insurance
- Sustainability certification: Standards for organic and eco-friendly aquaculture products
Industry-Leading Companies
Major companies shaping the future of Vietnam's aquaculture:
- Vinh Hoan Corporation: Leader in sustainable shrimp farming and social responsibility
- Ca Mau Seafood: Leading pangasius exporter
- CP Vietnam: Subsidiary of Thai CP Group, integrated farming systems
- Quoc Viet Co.: Major pangasius and seafood product producer and exporter
- Mowi: Norwegian salmon farming company interested in Vietnam's shrimp farming
- Marubeni: Japanese trading company investing in shrimp farming
Vision 2030 and Beyond
Vietnam's aquaculture industry is at a critical juncture for powerful transformation. With 3,200 km of coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and a vast network of rivers and canals, Vietnam possesses remarkable natural advantages for aquaculture development.
According to Decision 389/QD-TTg (2024), the industry is focusing on:
- Digital transformation: Advanced environmental monitoring, recirculating aquaculture systems
- Smart farming techniques: Automation, AI, IoT
- Value chain integration: From broodstock, feed, farming to processing, export
- Sustainable development: Emission reduction, biodiversity protection, food safety
- Market expansion: Penetrating Africa and new markets
With commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation, Vietnam's aquaculture industry is ready to affirm its position on the global aquaculture map, not only in scale but also in quality and environmental responsibility
