Vietnam has established itself as one of the world’s leading food exporters, gaining global recognition for its dynamic agricultural sector. From coffee and rice to seafood, fruits, and cashew nuts, Vietnam food exports have reached new heights in recent years, creating significant economic opportunities while positioning the country as a key player in global trade.
According to Vietnam export customs data, the total value of Vietnam food exports 2024 reached a record-breaking $62.5 billion, marking a 19% growth compared to the previous year. This milestone underscores the strength of Vietnam’s agriculture, forestry, and fishery industries despite global uncertainties, rising logistics costs, and fluctuating commodity prices.
In the first eight months of 2025 alone, Vietnam’s agricultural and food exports hit $45 billion, a 12% increase year-on-year. The data signals that Vietnam is not only expanding its market reach but also improving its competitiveness in the global food supply chain.
In this article, we will explore Vietnam’s food export performance in 2024–25, key export destinations, top food export companies Vietnam, product categories, challenges, opportunities, and future outlook based on verified Vietnam export customs data.
Record-Breaking Vietnam Food Exports 2024
The year 2024 was historic for Vietnam’s agriculture and food industry. According to Vietnam food exports 2024 statistics, the sector achieved a trade surplus of $18 billion, driven by rising demand for seafood, coffee, fruits, and rice.
Key numbers at a glance for Vietnam food exports 2024:
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Total food exports: $62.5 billion
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Top products: Fruits & vegetables ($7.12B), rice ($5.75B), coffee ($5.47B), cashew nuts ($4.37B), shrimp ($3.8B)
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Top markets: United States ($10B), China ($9.5B), Japan ($3.2B), South Korea ($2.7B), Netherlands ($2.5B)
The Vietnam export customs data also highlights that the U.S. overtook China as Vietnam’s largest food export destination in 2024, signaling strong diversification in trade relations.
Vietnam Food Exports by Country: Top Destinations
The Vietnam food exports market has become increasingly globalized. While Asian neighbors such as China, Japan, and South Korea remain crucial, the United States and European Union markets are growing rapidly.
Top 5 Vietnam Food Export Destinations 2024–25:
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United States – $10B (16%)
The U.S. is now the largest buyer of Vietnam food exports, importing seafood, coffee, and cashew nuts in large volumes. -
China – $9.5B (15%)
China remains critical for rice, fruits, and cassava exports, though stricter regulations in 2025 slowed growth slightly. -
Japan – $3.2B (5%)
High-quality seafood and fruits dominate Vietnamese exports to Japan, supported by stringent food safety compliance. -
South Korea – $2.7B (4%)
Processed foods, seafood, and beverages are major exports to the Korean market, aided by free trade agreements. -
Netherlands – $2.5B (4%)
Serving as a gateway to Europe, the Netherlands imports Vietnamese spices, coffee, and seafood for wider EU distribution.
Top Food Export Companies Vietnam: Industry Leaders
The success of Vietnam food exports relies heavily on key players in the sector. The top food export companies Vietnam database reveals several major exporters contributing significantly to the country’s trade performance.
Leading companies in Vietnam food exports 2024 include:
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Minh Phu Seafood Corp. – $600M in shrimp and seafood exports to the U.S., Japan, and EU
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Intimex Group JSC – $582M in rice exports to Asia and Africa
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Vinh Hoan Corporation – $450M in pangasius exports globally
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Sao Ta Foods (Fimex VN) – $300M in shrimp exports to premium markets
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Hung Vuong Corporation – $200M in pangasius and shrimp exports
These top food export companies Vietnam have invested in processing facilities, cold chain logistics, and quality certifications to meet strict international standards, ensuring Vietnamese products remain competitive in global markets.
Product Categories Driving Vietnam Food Exports
Based on Vietnam export customs data, the key product segments for Vietnam food exports 2024–25 include:
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Seafood – $10B exports, led by shrimp ($3.8B) and pangasius ($1.8B).
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Fruits & Vegetables – $7.12B, dominated by durian, dragon fruit, and mangoes.
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Rice – $5.75B, with Vietnam ranking as the world’s third-largest exporter.
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Coffee – $5.47B, primarily Robusta beans, serving global markets amid rising coffee demand.
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Cashew Nuts – $4.37B, with Vietnam holding a 75% share in global processed cashew exports.
These categories reflect Vietnam’s diverse agricultural base and its ability to serve both commodity and premium markets worldwide.
Challenges in Vietnam Food Exports
Despite record growth, Vietnam food exports face multiple challenges:
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Commodity price volatility affecting coffee, rice, and cashew prices globally
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Trade barriers like U.S. tariffs and EU sustainability regulations
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Logistics costs including cold storage and shipping bottlenecks
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Climate risks such as droughts, floods, and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta
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Competition from Thailand, India, and Brazil in overlapping markets
Opportunities & Strategic Directions
To maintain growth momentum, Vietnam food exports must focus on:
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Market diversification: Expanding exports to the Middle East, Australia, and ASEAN beyond China and the U.S.
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Value-added processing: Shifting from raw exports to processed, branded products like packaged seafood and roasted coffee.
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Sustainability certifications: Meeting EU and Japan’s strict requirements through organic, fair-trade, and geographical indication labeling.
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Infrastructure upgrades: Investing in cold chain logistics, storage, and port facilities to reduce losses and improve quality.
Vietnam Imports & Trade Balance
While Vietnam food exports continue to rise, Vietnam imports of agricultural inputs like animal feed, fertilizers, and machinery remain significant. This interdependence highlights the importance of balancing imports with exports to maintain trade surpluses and enhance domestic food production capabilities.
Future Outlook for Vietnam Food Exports
Looking ahead to late 2025 and 2026, Vietnam food exports are projected to reach $64–65 billion, driven by processed foods, seafood, and high-quality agricultural products.
Key expectations include:
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Strong demand from the U.S. and Japan
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Recovery in fruit exports after the 2025 durian slowdown
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Expansion into premium markets in the Middle East and Europe
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Continued dominance in coffee, rice, and seafood exports
By leveraging Vietnam export customs data insights, policymakers and top food export companies Vietnam can align strategies to strengthen competitiveness and market diversification.
Conclusion
The rise of Vietnam food exports 2024–25 highlights the country’s growing role as a global agricultural powerhouse. Record export values, diversified markets, and leading top food export companies Vietnam showcase the sector’s resilience despite global challenges.
However, sustaining growth will require investment in processing, branding, sustainability, and logistics while navigating trade barriers and price volatility. With the right policies and market strategies, Vietnam food exports can continue to expand, benefiting both the national economy and global consumers.
For detailed Vietnam export customs data or customized trade reports, businesses can access verified databases to explore opportunities in Vietnam’s dynamic food export sector.