Chile - Vietnam Trade 2025 Q1: Tech for Seafood Swap
Key Market Takeaways: Chile - Vietnam Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Chile and Vietnam shows growth with high volatility in Q1 2025.
- Economic Pulse: Chile posted a $350.51M trade deficit with Vietnam, importing $447.13M (led by electronics) while exporting just $96.62M (dominated by seafood). YoY growth was strong but uneven.
- Exchange Structure: The trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech complementarity—Chile supplies raw materials (fish, wood) while Vietnam exports high-value machinery (HS 85 accounts for 55.45% of imports).
- Strategic Interdependence: Vietnam holds the higher value-add position, reflecting Chile’s reliance on its manufacturing prowess for critical tech imports.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile-Vietnam Trade Trend in Q1 2025
Chile Export Performance: Shipments to Vietnam
- Total Volume: $96.62M in Q1 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- YoY growth was strong in January (+34.52%) and March (+40.44%), offsetting a modest February (+4.04%).
- No specific trade news or policy changes were reported to explain fluctuations.
- Key Volatility: February saw a sharp MoM drop (-36.99%), followed by a partial recovery in March (+23.8%).
Chile Import Performance: Sourcing from Vietnam
- Total Volume: $447.13M in Q1 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- YoY growth surged in March (+67.34%) despite a February dip (-7.29%), indicating volatile demand.
- Key Volatility: March imports spiked 172.46% MoM, while February dropped -35.53%.
Chile - Vietnam Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Chile ran a trade deficit of $350.51M (Imports $447.13M vs. Exports $96.62M).
- Relationship Status: Heavy reliance on Vietnamese imports, with exports lagging significantly.
Chile Import Trend from Vietnam 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 131.46M | 72.31% | 10.88% |
| Feb | 84.75M | -35.53% | -7.29% |
| Mar | 230.92M | 172.46% | 67.34% |
| Total | 447.13M | - | - |
Chile Export Trend to Vietnam 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40.09M | 49.7% | 34.52% |
| Feb | 25.26M | -36.99% | 4.04% |
| Mar | 31.27M | 23.8% | 40.44% |
| Total | 96.62M | - | - |
Get Historical Chile Vietnam Trade Records
Chile-Vietnam Top Trading Products in Q1 2025
Chile Export Profile: What Does Chile Sell to Vietnam
- Top Commodity: HS Code 03 (Fish and seafood) dominates at 48.51% of exports.
- Demand Driver: Vietnam likely uses these for industrial processing or re-export, given its strong seafood processing sector.
- Concentration: Highly concentrated, with fish/seafood alone nearing 50% of total exports.
Chile Import Profile: What Does Chile Buy from Vietnam
- Top Commodity: HS Code 85 (Electrical machinery) accounts for 55.45% of imports.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as Vietnam is a key electronics exporter.
Chile - Vietnam Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Chile supplies raw materials (fish, wood, metals) while Vietnam exports high-value electronics and machinery.
- Value Chain Position: Vietnam holds the higher value-add position, with complex manufactured goods (HS 85, 84) dominating imports. Chile’s exports are primarily low-processed commodities.
Import Analysis by Product: Vietnam to Chile (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 247.91M | 55.45% |
| 64 | 66.80M | 14.94% |
| 84 | 44.35M | 9.92% |
| 62 | 13.25M | 2.96% |
| 99 | 10.94M | 2.45% |
| 61 | 10.46M | 2.34% |
| 25 | 5.98M | 1.34% |
| 95 | 5.60M | 1.25% |
| 39 | 4.79M | 1.07% |
| 03 | 4.16M | 0.93% |
Export Analysis by Product: Chile to Vietnam (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | 46.87M | 48.51% |
| 08 | 16.80M | 17.39% |
| 44 | 10.78M | 11.15% |
| 72 | 6.54M | 6.76% |
| 47 | 3.14M | 3.25% |
| 28 | 3.10M | 3.21% |
| 15 | 3.02M | 3.13% |
| 30 | 1.34M | 1.38% |
| 26 | 1.07M | 1.11% |
| 39 | 710.92K | 0.74% |
Check Detailed Chile-Vietnam Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Chile’s trade with Vietnam is poised for continued growth in Q2 2025, driven by resilient demand for Chilean seafood and Vietnam’s expanding electronics exports. However, the widening trade deficit signals structural risks—Chile’s over-reliance on Vietnamese tech imports and undiversified commodity exports could amplify volatility. Without intervention, the deficit may deepen, especially if seafood prices fluctuate or Vietnam’s manufacturing demand softens. Traders should anticipate tighter margins in resource exports and prepare for supply chain disruptions in high-tech imports.
Strategic Moves
- Diversify Export Markets: Chilean exporters must reduce dependence on seafood by promoting copper, lithium, and processed agricultural goods to Vietnam, leveraging trade agreements to access new buyers.
- Lock in Tech Supply Chains: Importers of Vietnamese electronics should secure long-term contracts to hedge against price surges and logistics bottlenecks, especially for critical HS Code 85 machinery.
- Push for Trade Rebalancing: The Chilean government must negotiate reciprocal investment in value-added processing (e.g., seafood or mining tech) to shift from a raw-materials exporter to a higher-value trade partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chile - Vietnam trade perform in 2025 Q1?
Chile's exports to Vietnam totaled $96.62M, showing strong YoY growth in January (+34.52%) and March (+40.44%). Imports from Vietnam reached $447.13M, with March surging 67.34% YoY.
What are the top exports from Chile to Vietnam?
Fish and seafood (HS Code 03) dominated Chile's exports to Vietnam, accounting for 48.51% of total shipments.
What does Chile import from Vietnam?
Electrical machinery (HS Code 85) was Chile's top import from Vietnam, making up 55.45% of total imports.
What is the trade balance between Chile and Vietnam?
Chile recorded a trade deficit of $350.51M with Vietnam in Q1 2025, driven by significantly higher imports ($447.13M) than exports ($96.62M).
Chile Unwrought Gold HS710812 Export Data 2025 September Overview
Chile’s Unwrought Gold (HS Code 710812) exports in September 2025 show the U.S. as top buyer (46.20% value share) for refined bullion, while India leads volume (71.64% weight share) for industrial use, per yTrade data.
Chile Wine HS2204 Export Data 2025 April Overview
Chile Wine (HS Code 2204) Export in April 2025 shows France as the top premium buyer, while the USA leads volume, with EU trade benefits and bulk demand from China/Brazil, per yTrade data.
