Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS0304 Export Data 2025 Q2 Overview

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 Export: Key Takeaways

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 0304) exports in 2025 Q2 show the U.S. dominating as the top buyer, accounting for 21.85% of export value but demanding high volumes at lower prices, while China emerges as a key volume buyer for processing. The market remains competitive, with strategic opportunities in premium niches like Iraq. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, highlights the need for exporters to balance bulk shipments with higher-value diversification.

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 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, with steady demand driven by its versatility and affordability. In 2025 Q2, Vietnam's HS 0304 exports grew 11%, led by pangasius fillets to the U.S. and Brazil, while facing tariff adjustments and stricter compliance demands [VnEconomy]. As a top exporter, Vietnam relies on efficient cold chain logistics and value-added processing to maintain competitiveness in key markets like the CPTPP bloc and the Middle East [VietnamPlus].

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 Q2 saw robust performance, with May's export value peaking at $335.61 million before a notable retreat in June to $280.14 million, reflecting typical seasonal demand patterns and market adjustments.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Export values climbed steadily from April ($281.01M) to May ($335.61M), a 19% month-over-month surge, aligning with heightened global demand ahead of summer consumption cycles. The June pullback to $280.14M represents a 17% decline from May, consistent with post-peak inventory recalibration and buyer caution. Year-to-date, Q2’s total of $896.76M underscores solid momentum, though June’s dip highlights the sector’s sensitivity to order timing and logistics pacing.

External Context and Outlook

This volatility aligns with shifting trade dynamics, including US tariff reductions from 46% to 20% for Vietnamese seafood [VnEconomy], which bolstered competitiveness but also intensified competition with rivals like Thailand. Meanwhile, value-added product focus [Seafood VASEP] and cold-chain logistics investments are critical to sustaining Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 Q2 resilience amid evolving market headwinds.

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In 2025 Q2, Vietnam's export of Frozen Fish Fillets under HS Code 0304 is heavily concentrated in catfish fillets, specifically the sub-code for frozen catfish (Pangasius spp.), which holds over half of the export value and seventy percent of the quantity share. This dominance, with a unit price of around 2.00 USD per kilogram, indicates a focus on bulk, low-value commodity trade, with no extreme price anomalies present in the data.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure splits into two groups: medium-value fillets like tuna and other unspecified fish, with unit prices near 6 USD per kilogram, and high-value fillets such as salmon, trout, and cod, priced between 8 and 10 USD per kilogram. This mix shows that Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export includes both standardized bulk goods and differentiated, higher-grade products, reflecting a trade that spans commodity and value-added segments.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

With low-value catfish dominating, pricing power is limited to high-volume markets, but the higher-value products offer diversification potential. According to [Seafood VASEP], Vietnam's pangasius exports are growing, driven by value-added processing and expansion into markets like the CPTPP and Middle East (Seafood VASEP), suggesting a strategic need to enhance quality and logistics to maintain competitiveness in 2025.

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Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States is the clear leader for Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 0304 Export 2025 Q2, taking over a fifth of the total export value. The significant gap between its value share (21.85%) and its quantity share (27.25%) suggests it pays a lower average unit price, pointing to high-volume purchases of standardized commodity products.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade flow forms three clear groups. The first includes the US and Japan, which are high-value destinations with strong demand for frozen fillets, with the US being a key market for pangasius (seafood.vasep.com.vn). The second cluster contains Vietnam and China; China's high quantity share (14.03%) but lower value share (9.92%) indicates it is a major volume buyer, likely for further processing or re-export. A third group of smaller, strategic markets is emerging, including Brazil, where exports are seeing steady growth (seafood.vasep.com.vn), and Iraq, which commands a high value from a very small quantity, suggesting premium product shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters must prioritize maintaining robust cold chain logistics to serve major markets like the US [FreightAmigo]. The data supports a strategy of balancing high-volume, competitive shipments to large buyers with developing higher-value opportunities in niche markets. Diversifying into processed products can also help mitigate risks from shifting tariff policies in key destinations (VnEconomy).

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Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 0304) 2025 Q2 Export: Action Plan for Frozen Fish Fillets Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export 2025 Q2 under HS Code 0304 operates as a dual-market system. Price is primarily driven by two factors. High-volume, low-value catfish dominates, making pricing sensitive to bulk demand and competition. Higher-value products like salmon or cod offer premium margins but depend on quality and market access. Geopolitical risks, like tariff changes in key markets, also impact cost structures. This creates a supply chain focused on two tiers. It requires efficient, high-volume cold chain logistics for commodity buyers. It also needs specialized processing for value-added products to serve premium markets.

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

• Analyze buyer purchase frequency data to prioritize high-volume, regular clients. This secures stable revenue and optimizes production planning for HS Code 0304 exports.
• Monitor real-time tariff and trade policy changes in the US, China, and Brazil. This allows quick pricing adjustments to protect margins in volatile markets.
• Diversify into processed higher-value products within the frozen fillet range. This reduces over-reliance on low-margin catfish and taps into premium market opportunities.
• Use geographic trade data to identify emerging markets with high value-to-quantity ratios, like Iraq. This targets niche buyers willing to pay more for specialized shipments.
• Invest in cold chain tracking and logistics partnerships for major routes, like to the US. This ensures product quality and reduces spoilage risks during transit.

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 Q2?

The Q2 surge to $335.61M in May followed by a June dip reflects seasonal demand shifts and post-peak inventory adjustments, compounded by US tariff reductions boosting competitiveness but intensifying competition.

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

The US leads with 21.85% of export value, followed by Japan and China, which accounts for 14.03% of quantity but only 9.92% of value due to bulk purchases.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export 2025 Q2 partner countries?

Prices vary by product grade: bulk catfish fillets average $2/kg for high-volume markets like the US, while premium salmon/cod fillets reach $8–10/kg for niche destinations like Iraq.

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

Prioritize relationships with high-volume, frequent buyers (74.2% of value) while diversifying into higher-value products and emerging markets like Brazil to reduce dependency risks.

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

US and Chinese buyers benefit from stable bulk supply at low prices, while niche markets like Iraq access premium products, though reliance on Vietnamese exporters creates supply chain vulnerabilities.

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

Most exports are bulk commodity catfish fillets for mass consumption or reprocessing, supplemented by high-value salmon/trout fillets for premium retail or foodservice sectors.

Detailed Monthly Report

Vietnam HS0304 Export Snapshot 2025 APR

Vietnam HS0304 Export Snapshot 2025 MAY

Vietnam HS0304 Export Snapshot 2025 JUN