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Vietnam Rises to Become Singapore’s Third-Largest Seafood Export Partner

Posted on by content02.vinahugo
06
Oct

Vietnam Surpasses Norway to Rank Third in Singapore’s Seafood Imports

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, statistics from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) show that Singapore imported nearly SGD 559.5 million worth of seafood in the first half of 2025, up 2.4% year-on-year.
For the first time, Vietnam surpassed Norway to become Singapore’s third-largest seafood supplier, reaching SGD 57.2 million, equivalent to 10.2% of Singapore’s total seafood imports.

Balanced Demand Across Major Seafood Categories

Singapore’s seafood market continues to show balanced demand across four main product groups:

  1. Fresh/chilled fish (excluding fillets – HS 0302)

  2. Frozen fish (excluding fillets – HS 0303)

  3. Fish fillets and meat, chilled or frozen – HS 0304

  4. Crustaceans, whether processed or not – HS 0306

Each of these groups recorded import values above SGD 110 million during the first six months of 2025.
Among them, crustaceans (HS 0306) ranked highest at SGD 132.9 million, accounting for nearly one-quarter of total seafood imports.
Notably, only frozen fish (HS 0303) achieved positive growth (+24.3%), while others slightly declined by 1–3%, suggesting early signs of market saturation.

Vietnam’s Export Strength: Fish Fillets and Crustaceans

Vietnam’s seafood exports to Singapore totaled SGD 57.2 million in H1 2025, up 10.8% compared with 2024.
Two product groups dominated:

  • Fish fillets and frozen/chilled fish meat (HS 0304) – SGD 29 million (+2.1% YoY), accounting for 29.6% of total seafood imports from Vietnam.

  • Crustaceans, processed or unprocessed (HS 0306) – SGD 12.5 million (+13.3%), representing 9.4% of Singapore’s crustacean import market.

Vietnam also exported mollusks (HS 0307) worth SGD 7.1 million, up 172.1% YoY, proving growing demand for diversified seafood categories.

Regional Competition and Market Position

Malaysia and Indonesia remain the top two suppliers, with import values of SGD 75.2 million and SGD 63.2 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, Norway still leads in fresh/chilled fish (HS 0302) with 43.2% market share, but its overall ranking has fallen below Vietnam’s.

Vietnam’s competitive edge comes from its strong fillet-processing capability, consistent quality, and expanding export portfolio.
However, local exporters still face competition from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and India—particularly in crustaceans and mollusks.

Outlook and Recommendations

Vietnam’s share in Singapore’s seafood market is expected to remain stable, especially for fish fillets and frozen fish products, as demand continues to grow.
To maintain momentum, Vietnamese exporters are encouraged to:

  • Ensure strict quality control and food safety compliance under Singapore’s import regulations.

  • Invest in processing and packaging technology to enhance product value.

  • Expand marketing and brand presence through trade fairs and partnerships.

  • Optimize logistics and cold-chain systems to reduce costs and maintain freshness.

With sustained efforts, Vietnam’s seafood industry is well-positioned to strengthen its footprint in Singapore, consolidating its role as a leading ASEAN seafood supplier.