2025 Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS 030462) Export: Volatile Trends

Key Takeaways

Frozen Fish Fillets, classified under HS Code 030462, exhibited high volatility from January to October 2025.

• Market Pulse: Exports fluctuated sharply, peaking at $178.27 million in May but dropping -14.2% in June, with October recovering to $168.75 million (+18.8% MoM).
• Structural Shift: Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export relies heavily on the U.S. (18.93% value share) and China (18.23%), creating concentration risk, while Brazil offers premium pricing (7.48% value share vs. 5.13% volume).
• Product Logic: HS Code 030462 trade data reveals a low-margin bulk commodity market, with frozen catfish fillets (03046200) at $1.97/kg dominating 100% of exports.

This overview covers the period from January to October 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 030462) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export trend from January to October 2025 displayed significant volatility, with total value fluctuating between $100.65 million and $178.27 million monthly. After a weak start in February (-6.4% MoM), exports surged 42.8% in March and peaked in May at $178.27 million, though June and September saw sharp contractions of -14.2% and -7.8% respectively. The overall trajectory shows resilience, with October recovering to $168.75 million (+18.8% MoM), indicating strong underlying demand despite monthly swings.

Drivers & Industry Context

This volatility aligns with shifting product mix and trade policy impacts. Value-added pangasius exports to the U.S. surged 725% year-on-year by March 2025 [seafood.vasep.com.vn], explaining the Q2 peaks, while new U.S. tariff policies likely contributed to summer declines. Customs reforms under Decree 167/2025/ND-CP streamlined procedures for manufacturers (Vietnam Briefing), though frozen fillets didn’t qualify for raw material duty exemptions, maintaining cost pressures. The hs code 030462 value remains driven by value-added product demand offsetting tariff headwinds.

Table: Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam HS Code 030462 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, Vietnam's export under HS Code 030462 is entirely concentrated in frozen catfish fillets (sub-code 03046200), which captured 100% of both export value and volume from January to October 2025. This singular focus indicates a highly specialized product line within the Vietnam HS Code 030462 Export framework, with no significant diversification into other fish types or forms during this period.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

The implied unit price of approximately 1.97 USD per kilogram, derived from 1.44 billion USD in value and 730.21 million kg in volume, points to a low-value, bulk commodity market. This HS Code 030462 breakdown reveals a trade structure dominated by price-sensitive exports, typical for standardized frozen seafood where cost efficiency outweighs quality differentiation. For Vietnamese exporters, maintaining competitive pricing is critical in this high-volume, low-margin segment.

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Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets export destinations from January to October 2025 show a high concentration in two key markets. The United States is the dominant partner, accounting for 18.93% of total export value, followed closely by China Mainland at 18.23%. This heavy reliance on two primary buyers creates significant market risk, as any economic or trade policy shift from either nation could substantially impact Vietnam's seafood export revenue.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

Analyzing trade partners for Frozen Fish Fillets reveals distinct purchasing patterns. The US market demonstrates a volume-driven approach, with its quantity share (25.78%) exceeding its value share (18.93%), indicating price-sensitive bulk purchasing. In contrast, Brazil shows premium demand characteristics, with a value ratio (7.48%) significantly outpacing its quantity share (5.13%), suggesting Brazilian buyers pay higher prices for quality specifications. This segmentation offers Vietnam both volume scale from the US and margin potential from quality-focused markets like Brazil.

Table: Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 030462) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, the Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets export market from January to October 2025 is dominated by high-volume repeat buyers, who hold 75.47% of the value share. This indicates a stable, contract-based supply chain environment, where key accounts like THE DEEP SEAFOOD CO LLC drive consistent demand. Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets buyers are thus characterized by loyal, repeat purchasing behavior, reducing market volatility.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The high concentration in key accounts suggests a sales strategy focused on relationship management and long-term contracts to secure these reliable partners. However, this also introduces concentration risk; losing one major buyer could significantly impact revenue streams. To address this, suppliers should diversify their client base while enhancing service quality for existing high-value repeaters, aligning with HS Code 030462 buyer trends that favor consistent, high-volume orders. Staying compliant with export procedures, as noted in customs updates [Vietnam Briefing], can further support smooth transactions and maintain trust.

Table: Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 030462) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Frozen Fish Fillets Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyers: Reduce reliance on the U.S. and China by targeting premium markets like Brazil, where value ratios outpace volume demand.
• Lock in contracts: Secure long-term agreements with high-volume repeat buyers (75.47% value share) to stabilize revenue amid monthly volatility.
• Cut logistics costs: Optimize supply chains for bulk frozen fillets to offset thin margins ($1.97/kg) in the HS Code 030462 segment.
• Monitor tariffs: Track U.S. trade policy shifts, which drove a 725% surge in value-added pangasius exports but also triggered summer declines.
• Audit compliance: Ensure adherence to Vietnam’s Decree 167/2025/ND-CP customs reforms to avoid delays, as frozen fillets don’t qualify for raw material exemptions.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets HS Code 030462 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Vietnam's Frozen Fish Fillets exports in 2025 show significant volatility, driven by shifting demand for value-added products and U.S. tariff policies. Monthly fluctuations ranged from -14.2% to +42.8%, with recovery in October (+18.8%) indicating resilient underlying demand.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets (HS Code 030462) in 2025?

The U.S. (18.93% of export value) and China Mainland (18.23%) dominate Vietnam’s Frozen Fish Fillets exports, creating high market concentration risk. Brazil emerges as a premium market with a higher value-to-quantity ratio.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Vietnam Frozen Fish Fillets Export in 2025?

Price differences stem from market segmentation: the U.S. buys bulk volumes at lower prices (1.97 USD/kg), while Brazil pays premiums for quality. Vietnam’s exports are entirely frozen catfish fillets (HS 03046200), a low-margin commodity.

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

Exporters should prioritize retaining high-volume repeat buyers (75.47% of value share) while diversifying clients to mitigate concentration risk. Compliance with customs reforms and targeting premium markets like Brazil can enhance margins.

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

U.S. buyers benefit from stable bulk supply at competitive prices, while Brazilian buyers access higher-quality fillets. Both markets face dependency risks due to Vietnam’s export concentration.

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

Frozen catfish fillets (HS 03046200) are traded as a standardized, low-value commodity, primarily for price-sensitive bulk markets like the U.S. and quality-focused segments like Brazil.