Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS0304 Export Data 2025 May Overview

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

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304) Export 2025 May reveals a commodity-driven market with stark price disparities, where Japan pays a premium for higher-grade fillets while the US dominates volume at lower unit prices. The export landscape is highly concentrated, with the US accounting for 24% of value, signaling buyer risk. Regional Asian processors like South Korea and Thailand form a third cluster, likely for re-export. This analysis, covering 2025 May, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database. Exporters must balance bulk shipments to core markets with targeted expansion into higher-value segments to boost margins. Diversification beyond top buyers is critical for resilience.

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 May Export Background

Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304), covering fish fillets and other fish meat, fresh, chilled, or frozen, is a staple for global food processing and retail sectors due to its versatility and steady demand. In May 2025, Vietnam's exports under this code grew 11%, driven by strong demand from the U.S., Brazil, and CPTPP markets, though China saw an 8% decline [VASEP]. Vietnam remains a key supplier, leveraging competitive pricing and compliance with international standards, even as U.S. tariff policies add uncertainty [VietnamPlus].

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

Key Observations

Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304) exports in May 2025 surged to $335.61 million, marking a 19.4% increase from April and reflecting robust growth driven by market diversification and seasonal demand peaks.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The monthly trend shows a dip in February to $196.36 million, likely due to Lunar New Year disruptions common in Vietnam's seafood industry, followed by a steady recovery. The sharp rise to $335.61 million in May aligns with typical seasonal patterns, where pre-summer stock replenishment in key import markets boosts demand for frozen fillets. This growth underscores the sector's resilience and efficient supply chain management, despite volume data gaps suggesting focused value-driven exports.

External Context and Outlook

This performance is bolstered by strong demand from the U.S. and Brazil, with frozen pangasius fillets—a key component of HS Code 0304—recording an 11% growth in value [VASEP]. Expansion into CPTPP and Middle East markets, as noted by VietnamPlus, further supports outlook stability, though challenges like traceability standards and potential U.S. tariff shifts under Trump's administration could introduce volatility (vietfishmagazine.com). Overall, Vietnam's export momentum is expected to continue, leveraging trade agreements and seasonal cycles.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

Vietnam's export of Frozen Fish Fillets under HS Code 0304 in May 2025 is dominated by frozen catfish fillets (Pangasius spp.), which account for over 53% of the export value and nearly 70% of the quantity. With a unit price of around 2.22 USD per kilogram, much lower than other varieties, this highlights a focus on bulk commodity trade rather than high-value products.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The other exports include high-value fillets like salmon, trout, and cod with unit prices above 8 USD per kilogram, medium-value fillets such as tuna and other types around 5-6 USD per kilogram, and lower-value items including tilapia fillets and non-fillet meat below 3 USD per kilogram. This mix shows trade in both standardized bulk commodities and differentiated, higher-grade goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The heavy reliance on low-price catfish limits pricing power and exposes Vietnam to competition and tariff risks, though growth continues in key markets like the US and Brazil [VASEP]. For premium segments, higher margins are possible but require quality upgrades. Strategy should balance maintaining bulk exports with developing value-added products for the Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 May.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 May is heavily concentrated, with the United States taking a dominant 24% share of total export value from a 31% share of total weight, indicating it pays a below-average unit price for this commodity product. Japan is the second-largest market by value but shows the opposite pattern, accounting for only 6% of the weight yet 12% of the value, revealing it pays a significantly higher unit price for premium product grades.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form three clear clusters. The first is a high-value, lower-volume group including Japan, the UK, and the Netherlands, which likely import higher-quality or more processed fillets. The second is a high-volume cluster led by the US and China, which are major markets for bulk commodity shipments. A third cluster includes regional Asian processors like Vietnam itself, South Korea, and Thailand; these countries likely import for further processing and re-export, explaining their moderate value and volume shares.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Vietnamese exporters, the data supports a two-track strategy: protect volume flows to core markets like the US while aggressively developing higher-value markets to improve margins. [VietnamPlus] confirms this approach, noting a strategic push into CPTPP and Middle Eastern markets for growth. Diversifying beyond the largest buyers will be key to building a more resilient and profitable export profile for Frozen Fish Fillets.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export 2025 May under HS Code 0304 operates as a dual-track market. Price is primarily driven by product grade. Low-value bulk catfish dominates volume but yields thin margins. High-value fillets like salmon or cod command premium prices in selective markets. Geopolitical risks, like potential US tariff changes, add further price pressure. The supply chain implication is high vulnerability. Heavy reliance on a few bulk buyers and commodity markets exposes Vietnam to demand shocks. The current model prioritizes volume security over profit resilience.

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

• Use HS Code 0304 shipment data to identify and target buyers in high-unit-price countries like Japan. This shifts sales mix toward higher-margin exports and reduces dependency on low-price bulk trade.
• Analyze transaction frequency of top buyers to forecast demand and prevent over-reliance on any single partner. This builds a more resilient customer base and mitigates revenue risk from order cancellations.
• Track real-time trade flows for competitor pricing in key markets like the US and China. This allows for dynamic pricing adjustments to protect market share without sacrificing all margin.
• Leverage customs data to identify and qualify new importers in CPTPP and Middle Eastern markets. This executes the diversification strategy confirmed by industry reports and taps into new growth regions.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets exports surged 19.4% to $335.61 million in May 2025, driven by seasonal demand peaks and market diversification, particularly in the US and Brazil. The rebound follows a Lunar New Year dip, highlighting the sector's resilience.

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

The US dominates with 24% of export value, followed by Japan (12%) and China. These markets represent distinct clusters—bulk commodity (US/China) and premium-grade (Japan) demand.

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

Price gaps stem from product mix: Japan pays premium rates for high-value fillets like salmon (over $8/kg), while the US buys bulk catfish fillets at $2.22/kg. Grade specialization dictates pricing.

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

Exporters must balance reliance on core bulk buyers (74% of revenue) with premium market expansion (e.g., Japan/UK) to mitigate tariff risks and improve margins, per VASEP trade data.

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

US/China buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while Japanese/EU buyers access premium products. Over-dependence on Vietnam by key buyers creates mutual vulnerability to demand shifts.

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

Frozen catfish fillets (70% of volume) serve as affordable protein for mass consumption, while high-value salmon/cod fillets target niche retail or foodservice segments.