Vietnam’s aquatic production rises – General Statistics Office
Vietnam’s total aquatic output reached over 2.7 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 3.3% increase from the same period last year.
VIETNAM – According to the General Statistics Office, cumulative aquatic production in the first nine months of 2025 surpassed 7.2 million tonnes, up 3.2% year-on-year.
Pangasius output in Q3 reached 469,300 tonnes, a 4.8% increase from the previous year, bringing the total for the first nine months to more than 1.3 million tonnes, up 4.6%.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers attributed the rise to stronger processing activity, increased export orders for value-added pangasius, and higher prices supporting farm-level profits.
Industry outlook
Earlier reports indicated that Vietnam is seeking to expand its seafood byproduct sector to enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and create additional revenue streams across the seafood supply chain.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Phuc Loc Co Ltd collects around 60 tonnes of seafood byproducts daily from fishing boats and processing plants to produce 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of fishmeal annually, generating revenue of approximately US$3 million to US$3.9 million.
Company director Nguyen Thanh Loc said that with better technology and funding, the protein content of their fishmeal could reach 64%, potentially reducing the need for up to 140,000 tonnes of imported fishmeal per year.
Tu Hai Co Ltd in Phuoc Tuang has started exporting cleaned and dried fish to Japan at roughly US$10 per kilogram, earning between US$379,700 and US$455,640 annually, with CEO Quoc Tuan noting demand exceeds current supply.
Researchers are exploring further applications for seafood waste, as the Southern Research Institute for Marine Fisheries has developed crab paste and chitosan powder from mixed crab species, with chitosan selling for up to US$1,000 per kilogram for use in healthcare and agriculture.
Some companies are repurposing shells for artistic and decorative purposes, with Hai Lan Co Ltd in Ba Ria Ward creating jewelry, ornaments, and other items priced between US$1.52 and US$759.40 each.
Hai Lan recently signed an agreement with OSB Investment and Technology JSC, a licensed Alibaba agent in Vietnam, to market its shell-based products on Alibaba’s platform.
Innovation among younger entrepreneurs is also emerging, exemplified by a student from Vung Tau High School who proposed a workshop where visitors can make handmade shell items in a beach-themed coffee shop, combining tourism and environmental awareness.
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