Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS0306 Export Data 2025 May Overview

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export: Key Takeaways

Vietnam's Seafood Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) exports in May 2025 reveal a high-value product structure, with China dominating premium imports (18.30% value share) while Japan focuses on bulk shipments (54.48% quantity share). The U.S. market presents a short-term opportunity due to a 10% tariff reduction until July, requiring exporters to act swiftly. Buyer concentration is moderate, with China and Japan as key markets, but diversification is advised to mitigate geopolitical risks. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export Background

Vietnam's Seafood Crustaceans (HS Code 0306), covering fresh, chilled, frozen, or cooked crustaceans, are vital for global food and hospitality industries due to their consistent demand. In May 2025, Vietnam's exports surged as the U.S. temporarily cut tariffs to 10%, boosting shipments before a potential July hike [VASEP]. The country's streamlined customs reforms under Decree 167/2025 further eased trade, reinforcing Vietnam's role as a key exporter in the 2025 seafood market [Vietnam Briefing].

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306 Export 2025 May surged to $298.35 million in value, marking a robust 15.3% month-over-month increase from April, driven by accelerated shipment volumes during a critical export window.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential growth from January to May 2025 reflects typical seasonal demand cycles in the seafood industry, where crustacean exports often peak in mid-year due to heightened global consumption and pre-holiday stockpiling. Value climbed steadily from $239.34 million in January to $298.35 million in May, with the sharpest MoM rise in May aligning with industry patterns of maximizing output before potential tariff shifts. This trend underscores efficient supply chain responses to external incentives, though volume data remains unspecified.

External Context and Outlook

This performance was directly fueled by the U.S. temporary tariff reduction to 10% from April to July 2025, which incentivized Vietnamese exporters to boost shipments under HS Code 0306 [seafood.vasep.com.vn]. Looking ahead, the outlook depends heavily on whether U.S. tariffs revert to 46% post-July, potentially dampening Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans exports, while domestic customs simplifications under recent decrees may continue to support logistics efficiency (Vietnam-briefing).

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306 Export 2025 May is dominated by frozen, cooked shrimps and prawns (HS 03061721), which alone captured over a quarter of the total export value. This sub-code shipped 57 million kilograms worth nearly 80 million USD, indicating a unit price around 1.39 USD per kilogram. Its high shipment frequency—over 1,600 transactions—confirms it as a volume-driven bulk commodity. No extreme price anomalies were present in the top ten items.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure splits into two clear tiers. The first is frozen shrimps and prawns (HS 03061722, 03061711, 03061719, 03061729, 03061790), which together form a high-volume, lower-unit-price segment focused on processed but basic commodity forms. The second is live, fresh, or chilled premium items like rock lobsters (HS 03063120) and crabs (HS 03063391, 03061499), which achieved much higher value with far less volume. This shows Vietnam’s 0306 exports mix standardized frozen products with higher-value live goods, leaning toward fungible bulk trade but with a premium segment.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of standardized frozen shrimp and prawn items operate in a competitive bulk market with low pricing power, requiring cost efficiency and scale. For the Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306 Export 2025 May, suppliers of live rock lobsters and crabs have stronger pricing leverage due to their premium nature. Recent news confirms that Vietnam's seafood exports accelerated in May 2025, partly due to a temporary U.S. tariff reduction [VASEP], but this benefit was uncertain beyond July. Additionally, customs procedures were simplified under new 2025 decrees [Vietnam Briefing], which may aid logistics. Strategic focus should prioritize expanding the live and fresh premium segment to diversify from volatile bulk frozen markets.

Check Detailed HS 0306 Breakdown

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, Vietnam's Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306 exports showed strong concentration, with CHINA MAINLAND as the dominant importer by value at 18.30% share. The value ratio exceeds the quantity ratio (18.30% vs. 7.43%), indicating China imports higher-value, premium-grade products, while JAPAN, with a much higher quantity ratio (54.48% vs. 12.01% value), focuses on bulk, lower-value shipments.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two main clusters emerge: first, high-value importers like CHINA MAINLAND and the UNITED STATES (value ratios surpass quantity ratios), likely driven by demand for premium seafood and favorable trade conditions, such as the U.S. temporary 10% tariff reduction until July 2025 [May 2025: Vietnam's seafood exports accelerate]. Second, high-volume, low-value importers like JAPAN and SOUTH KOREA (quantity ratios exceed value ratios) probably source bulk crustaceans for processing or mass consumption, reflecting cost-efficient sourcing patterns.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters should leverage the current U.S. tariff window to maximize high-value shipments and prepare for potential post-July increases. Adapting to Vietnam's simplified customs procedures under recent decrees can reduce delays [Vietnam's Customs Procedures in 2025]. Diversifying beyond top markets like China and the U.S. will mitigate supply chain risks from geopolitical or policy shifts.

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Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 May Export: Action Plan for Seafood Crustaceans Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 May under HS Code 0306 operates on two distinct price drivers. Product grade defines value, with premium live items like rock lobster commanding higher prices than bulk frozen shrimp. Geopolitical factors, like the temporary U.S. tariff cut, also influence short-term pricing. The supply chain implications are clear. Vietnam acts as a processing hub for high-volume frozen goods but must ensure supply security for premium live products. Heavy reliance on dominant buyers and key markets like China creates vulnerability to demand shifts or policy changes.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Seafood Crustaceans Market Execution

• Target buyers with high-value, frequent orders using transaction data. This secures stable revenue and reduces customer acquisition costs.
• Expand the live and fresh product segment by analyzing HS Code 0306 premium sub-codes. This increases profit margins and diversifies away from volatile bulk frozen trade.
• Leverage the U.S. tariff window before July 2025 for high-value shipments. This maximizes short-term revenue while favorable conditions last.
• Diversify export destinations beyond China and the U.S. using partner country data. This mitigates risk from geopolitical or trade policy disruptions.

Forward-Looking Risks and Mitigation

Policy uncertainty is the primary risk. The U.S. tariff reduction may expire after July 2025, potentially lowering demand. Over-reliance on a small group of bulk buyers also threatens stability. Mitigate this by building a more diverse client base. Prepare for stricter customs checks by ensuring full compliance with new 2025 procedures. This prevents shipping delays and maintains market access.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 May?

Vietnam's seafood crustacean exports surged 15.3% month-over-month in May 2025, reaching $298.35 million, driven by a temporary U.S. tariff reduction and seasonal demand. Exporters accelerated shipments to capitalize on the tariff window before potential July increases.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 May?

China (18.30% value share) and the U.S. were key high-value importers, while Japan (54.48% quantity share) dominated bulk shipments. South Korea also featured as a major volume-driven buyer.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 May partner countries?

Price gaps stem from product segmentation: China and the U.S. imported premium live/fresh items (e.g., rock lobsters), while Japan and South Korea focused on lower-value frozen shrimp/prawns (e.g., HS 03061721 at 1.39 USD/kg).

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current Seafood Crustaceans export market?

Prioritize relationships with dominant high-volume buyers (two-thirds of trade value) while diversifying into premium live/fresh segments to reduce reliance on volatile bulk frozen markets.

Q5. What does this Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

High-volume buyers (e.g., Japan) benefit from stable bulk supply, while premium buyers (e.g., China) gain pricing leverage but face reliance on Vietnam’s limited high-grade output.

Q6. How is Seafood Crustaceans typically used in this trade flow?

Frozen shrimp/prawns (e.g., HS 03061721) are bulk-processed commodities, while live/fresh items (e.g., rock lobsters) cater to premium foodservice or retail markets.