Vietnam Fish Fillets HS0304 Export Data 2025 August Overview

Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export: Key Takeaways

Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304) exports in August 2025 reveal a premium market, with Vietnam achieving higher unit prices domestically and in the US, where it holds a 16.17% value share. The US and Japan drive demand for frozen fillets, while China focuses on lower-grade volume. Buyer concentration is moderate, with balanced growth in markets like Brazil and South Korea. This analysis covers August 2025 and is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export Background

Vietnam's Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304), covering fresh, chilled, or frozen fish meat, are a staple for global food processors and retailers due to consistent demand for affordable protein. With frozen pangasius fillets (0304) driving an 11% export growth in 2025 [VASEP], Vietnam is capitalizing on shifting trade policies, including reduced US tariffs, to expand its $2 billion pangasius market [VnEconomy]. As August 2025 data emerges, Vietnam’s cost-efficient production and strategic focus on value-added products position it as a key exporter under HS Code 0304.

Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 August showed a notable 6.1% month-on-month increase in export value, reaching $307.31 million. This growth reflects continued strong demand in key markets and aligns with broader 2025 expansion trends for this product category.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The monthly export value progression from January ($228.48M) to August ($307.31M) demonstrates a clear upward trajectory despite some monthly fluctuations. The August performance continues the recovery from June's dip ($280.14M), suggesting the summer period typically sees stable processing and shipping cycles for frozen fish products. This pattern aligns with typical seafood export rhythms where processing capacity and shipping logistics stabilize during these months. The overall 2025 growth trajectory indicates robust demand fundamentals for Vietnam's fish fillet exports.

External Context and Outlook

The August acceleration coincides with significant trade policy developments, particularly the [US reciprocal tariff adjustment] that reduced Vietnam's tariff rate from 46% to 20% effective August 1, 2025. This policy shift directly improved market access for Vietnam's primary export product to the U.S.

• frozen pangasius fillets under HS code 0304 (VnEconomy). Combined with strong performance in other key markets like Brazil (VASEP), these factors created favorable conditions for the August export growth. Looking forward, market diversification efforts toward CPTPP and Middle East markets (VietnamPlus) may provide additional growth avenues for Vietnam Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export through the remainder of 2025.

Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Vietnam's export of fish fillets under HS Code 0304 in August 2025 is highly concentrated on frozen catfish fillets, which represent over half of the export value. This product, with a unit price of approximately 2 USD per kilogram, dominates the trade due to its high volume and low cost. High-value products like salmon and trout fillets, with unit prices exceeding 10 USD per kilogram, are present but isolated from the main analysis pool due to their premium nature and smaller share.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous products consist of standard frozen fillets such as tilapia and non-fillet fish meat, all with unit prices around 2 to 2.6 USD per kilogram. This grouping indicates a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where items are largely undifferentiated and compete on price rather than quality or brand. The structure suggests that Vietnam's export under this HS code is primarily driven by mass-produced, low-value-added goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Vietnam fish fillets HS Code 0304 export in 2025 August, the heavy reliance on low-value bulk products limits pricing power and emphasizes cost-based competition. However, the isolated high-value specialties offer potential for diversification into premium markets. According to VASEP, pangasius exports showed steady growth, reinforcing the strategic focus on volume-driven segments while exploring value-added opportunities.

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Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Vietnam Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 August shows a concentrated market, with the United States as the dominant partner. The US holds a 16.17% value share against a 20.46% quantity share, indicating it pays near-commodity prices. Vietnam itself commands a 16.21% value share from just an 8.17% quantity share, showing it achieves a much higher unit price for its value-added products.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Three clear clusters emerge. The first includes the US and Japan, which are high-value markets that pay standard commodity prices for frozen fillets. The second is China, a volume-driven market with a lower value share (13.18%) than its quantity share (18.16%), pointing to purchases of lower-grade material. The third group, including Brazil and South Korea, represents balanced, growing markets for mid-range products.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Processors should focus on the premium Vietnam domestic and US markets, where higher unit prices for value-added goods like frozen fillets under HS 0304 are achieved [seafood.vasep.com.vn]. The recent US tariff reduction to 20% solidifies this strategy (VnEconomy). Expanding into trade agreements like the CPTPP, as noted in recent reports, is a logical next step for growth [vietnamplus.vn].

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Vietnam Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 August Export: Action Plan for Fish Fillets Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Fish Fillets Export 2025 August under HS Code 0304 is a volume-driven commodity trade. Price is set by global bulk competition, not product differentiation. The US and China dominate as high-volume, low-price buyers. Vietnam itself achieves higher prices for value-added goods. The supply chain acts as a processing hub for frozen fillets. Heavy reliance on a few large buyers creates vulnerability to demand shifts.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Fish Fillets Market Execution

• Target US and domestic Vietnam markets with premium frozen products. These markets pay higher unit prices for value-added goods, directly boosting revenue per kilogram.
• Diversify buyers using trade data to identify new partners in balanced markets like Brazil. Reducing dependency on a few large buyers mitigates risk from order cancellations or economic downturns.
• Negotiate contracts with high-frequency, high-value buyers to secure stable orders. This ensures consistent revenue and optimizes production planning for HS Code 0304 exports.
• Leverage trade agreements like CPTPP to access new markets with reduced tariffs. Lower tariffs increase competitiveness and open growth opportunities beyond traditional partners.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Fish Fillets Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam Fish Fillets Export 2025 August?

The 6.1% month-on-month growth to $307.31 million reflects strong demand in key markets like the US, boosted by a tariff reduction from 46% to 20%. Frozen pangasius fillets dominate exports due to their high volume and low cost.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Vietnam Fish Fillets Export 2025 August?

The US (16.17% value share), Vietnam (16.21%), and China (13.18%) are the top destinations. The US and Japan pay commodity prices, while China buys lower-grade bulk products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam Fish Fillets Export 2025 August partner countries?

Prices vary due to product specialization: frozen catfish fillets (2 USD/kg) dominate bulk exports, while premium products like salmon fillets (over 10 USD/kg) achieve higher prices in markets like Vietnam’s domestic sector.

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current Fish Fillets export market?

Exporters should prioritize high-value, frequent buyers (66.69% of trade) while diversifying into premium markets like the US and Vietnam’s domestic sector to reduce reliance on bulk commodities.

Q5. What does this Vietnam Fish Fillets export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in the US and Japan benefit from stable commodity pricing, while China’s volume-driven purchases offer cost advantages. New markets like Brazil present growth opportunities for mid-range products.

Q6. How is Fish Fillets typically used in this trade flow?

Frozen fillets (e.g., pangasius, tilapia) are traded as undifferentiated bulk commodities, primarily for cost-sensitive food processing or retail distribution in importing countries.