Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS0306 Export Data 2025 Q1 Overview

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export: Key Takeaways

Vietnam’s Seafood Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) exports in 2025 Q1 reveal a high-value commodity-grade product, with Vietnam commanding premium prices despite lower shipment volumes. The market shows stable demand, driven by bulk Asian processors like Japan and high-value Western retail markets. Buyer concentration is moderate, with Japan dominating quantity but Vietnam securing superior unit economics. Geographic analysis highlights Vietnam’s 34.96% value share, underscoring its dominance in quality-driven exports. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covering 2025 Q1.

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export Background

Vietnam’s Seafood Crustaceans (HS Code 0306—crustaceans, in shell or not, fresh, chilled, frozen, or cooked) are vital for global food and aquaculture industries, with steady demand driven by their use in restaurants and retail. Under Vietnam’s 2025 customs reforms, exporters benefit from simplified procedures and tax incentives, ensuring smoother shipments for HS 0306 products [Vietnam Briefing]. As a top global seafood supplier, Vietnam’s Q1 2025 exports of these crustaceans remain critical for trade, especially to markets like China and India.

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306 Export in 2025 Q1 showed significant month-over-month volatility, with export values swinging from a high in January to a low in February before partially recovering in March.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The export value dropped by approximately 26% from January's $239.34 million to February's $177.90 million, then rose by about 26% to $223.79 million in March. This volatility aligns with typical seasonal demand cycles in the seafood industry, where February often experiences a lull due to the Lunar New Year holidays disrupting production and logistics. The March rebound indicates a return to normal export rhythms as post-holiday operations resume.

External Context and Outlook

The recovery in March was likely supported by Vietnam's updated customs procedures under Decree 167/2025/ND-CP, which simplified export processes and provided tax incentives starting in 2025 [Vietnam Briefing]. These reforms reduced bureaucratic hurdles for seafood exporters, facilitating smoother shipments under HS code 0306 and contributing to the quarterly stabilization. Looking ahead, continued adherence to these streamlined rules should support steady export growth.

Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q1 2025, Vietnam's Seafood Crustaceans export under HS Code 0306 is dominated by high-value live rock lobsters (HS 03063120), with a unit price of approximately 32 USD per kilogram, accounting for over 33% of the total export value. This indicates strong specialization in premium, fresh products. An extreme price anomaly is present in frozen shrimps (HS 03061721), with a very low unit price of around 0.83 USD per kilogram and high volume, suggesting it is a bulk commodity isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on value-add stage and grade. First, high-value live and frozen crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters (e.g., HS 03061499 and HS 03061190), with unit prices ranging from 14 to 17 USD per kilogram, represent differentiated, premium goods. Second, medium-value frozen shrimps (e.g., HS 03061722 and HS 03061719), with unit prices between 4 and 8 USD per kilogram, show a mix of processed forms but operate in a more competitive, fungible bulk market. This structure highlights a trade split between high-end, brandable products and standardized commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of high-value Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans under HS Code 0306 in 2025 Q1 have stronger pricing power due to product differentiation, while bulk shrimps face price volatility. Strategic focus should be on maintaining quality for premium segments and optimizing supply chains for cost-sensitive bulk exports. [Vietnam Briefing] notes updated customs procedures in 2025, emphasizing the need for accurate HS code compliance to avoid delays and leverage tax incentives, supporting smoother export operations for all grades.

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Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Vietnam dominates the 2025 Q1 export market for Seafood Crustaceans HS Code 0306, holding a 34.96% value share despite accounting for only 8.10% of the total quantity. This significant value-to-quantity disparity confirms these are commodity-grade exports where Vietnam captures superior unit prices, while Japan's 55.24% quantity share paired with a 12.40% value share indicates it is a bulk buyer of lower-value products.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade flow forms three clear clusters. The first consists of high-volume Asian manufacturers like Japan and South Korea, which source large quantities for processing and re-export. The second includes Western markets such as the United States, Australia, and Germany, which import smaller volumes at higher values for direct retail consumption. The third cluster contains trade hubs like China Hongkong and Singapore, which act as intermediaries for regional distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans exporters, this geographic spread means maintaining strong relationships with bulk processors in Asia while expanding direct access to higher-value Western markets. The 2025 customs reforms [Vietnam Briefing] simplify export procedures, which helps manage the high shipment frequency to multiple destinations. Exporters should use this advantage to improve logistics for time-sensitive seafood, ensuring faster clearance to major buyers in Japan and the United States.

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Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans (HS 0306) 2025 Q1 Export: Action Plan for Seafood Crustaceans Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 Q1 under HS Code 0306 operates as a dual market. High-value live and frozen products like lobsters and crabs drive premium pricing through quality differentiation. Bulk frozen shrimps face commodity-grade price volatility. Key buyers are concentrated high-volume Asian processors, but Western retail markets offer higher unit values. This structure creates supply chain implications centered on maintaining cold-chain integrity for premium goods and optimizing cost-efficient logistics for bulk shipments. Vietnam’s role is both a quality supplier and a bulk processor, requiring adaptable export operations.

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

• Use HS Code 0306 transaction data to separate high-value and bulk product lines, then allocate logistics budgets accordingly. This prevents cost overruns and protects profit margins.
• Analyze buyer purchase frequency to forecast demand cycles for key clients in Japan and the US. This enables better inventory planning and reduces stockouts or wastage.
• Leverage 2025 customs reforms to pre-clear shipments for high-frequency buyers, cutting delays for time-sensitive seafood. This strengthens relationships with bulk purchasers.
• Diversify export destinations by targeting low-volume, high-value Western markets with targeted trade data on buyer preferences. This reduces dependency on a few bulk buyers and increases revenue stability.
• Monitor real-time price data for frozen shrimps to adjust export timing and avoid periods of commodity price crashes. This protects against unexpected revenue drops.

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 Q1?

The volatility is driven by seasonal demand shifts, with a 26% drop in February due to Lunar New Year disruptions, followed by a recovery in March supported by streamlined 2025 customs reforms.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 Q1?

Vietnam dominates with a 34.96% value share, while Japan is the top bulk buyer (55.24% quantity share), followed by high-value Western markets like the U.S. and Germany.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Vietnam Seafood Crustaceans Export 2025 Q1 partner countries?

Prices vary due to product specialization: premium live/frozen lobsters (e.g., HS 03063120 at ~32 USD/kg) command higher values, while bulk frozen shrimps (e.g., HS 03061721 at ~0.83 USD/kg) target cost-sensitive markets.

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

Prioritize high-value, high-frequency buyers (77.31% of revenue) while diversifying into retail markets, and leverage 2025 customs reforms to optimize logistics for time-sensitive shipments.

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

Bulk Asian buyers (e.g., Japan) benefit from stable supply for processing, while Western buyers access premium products but face competition for high-grade live/frozen crustaceans.

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

High-value live/frozen products (e.g., lobsters) serve premium retail and dining, while bulk frozen shrimps are used for mass processing or re-export.

Detailed Monthly Report

Vietnam HS0306 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Vietnam HS0306 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB

Vietnam HS0306 Export Snapshot 2025 MAR