The seafood industry is still maintaining its growth rate at the beginning of the year, making it more likely that this year it will return to the export target of 11 billion USD of 2022.

Imports from African and Oceanian markets increased

January's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports recorded a decrease from key product lines as import markets increased their imports from the previous period. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total estimated export value of agricultural, forestry and fishery products reached more than 5 billion USD, down nearly 5% compared to the same period last year.

Specifically, the export value of agricultural products reached 2.6 billion USD, down more than 6%, of which 2 product lines had an increase: aquatic products and salt.

On the import market side, the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products to the Americas, Asia and Europe decreased, but increased by more than 31% to the African and Oceanian markets.

May return to export milestone of 11 billion USD

The seafood industry is still maintaining its growth rate at the beginning of the year, making it more likely that this year it will return to the export target of 11 billion USD in 2022.

On the world map, Vietnam is currently the third largest seafood exporter, behind only China and Norway. This shows that we are on the right track in sustainable development and increasing the added value of products. In the coastal areas of the South Central provinces, the market has recorded positive signals at the beginning of the year.

In the first days of 2025, Gia Bao Dried Seafood Company, Ninh Thuan received direct export orders to Russia instead of having to find intermediaries as before. This result is due to the company's commitment not to use raw materials of unknown origin and not ensuring food safety and quality.

In aquaculture activities, high-tech marine farming has begun to receive positive responses from people in the South Central coastal region. This method of marine farming aims to increase production efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, ensure product quality and sustainable development.

Currently, the applied technologies include smart marine cage systems, water quality monitoring sensors, automated feeding processes and remote monitoring using IoT technology...

Implementing the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, the coastal provinces of the South Central Coast continue to exploit resources to invest in fishing infrastructure and seaports. At the same time, support fishermen to access credit to modernize fishing vessels, shifting from exploiting inshore and coastal areas to offshore areas.

Improve quality to meet market demand

Despite many opportunities, for many seafood products, after 3 years of rapid growth, it can be seen that the risk of violating regulations on standards is looming as businesses compete to expand production scale, increase export volume while loosening quality control.

Therefore, focusing on finding solutions for sustainable development and improving quality is the key task of the seafood industry this year.

Along with complying with regulations on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, in order to quickly remove the yellow card for seafood, some localities have developed policies to support fishermen to change their fishing professions in conjunction with protecting aquatic resources.

At the same time, it is necessary to continue building a chain of links in the seafood industry. In the immediate future, this is for aquatic species with high economic value and potential for industrial farming.

With strong changes, the South Central Coast is gradually affirming its position as the center of seafood in the country. Therefore, investing in and sustainably developing the fisheries sector is an urgent solution to bring long-term economic efficiency, stabilize people's livelihoods and protect the marine environment.

2025 will be a promising year for Vietnamese fisheries to boost exports to target and potential markets such as the US, China, ASEAN and the Middle East. In January 2025, seafood exports brought in more than 400 million USD, an increase of 29% over the same period last year, a positive figure that creates momentum for the whole year.

Source: VTV