Vietnam has steadily transformed into one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for agricultural and food exports. From coffee to cashews, rice to seafood, and fruits to spices, Vietnam has successfully positioned itself as a reliable global supplier of diverse food products. According to Vietnam export customs data, the country’s food exports crossed a record $62.5 billion in 2024, representing a remarkable 19% growth from 2023. Even in 2025, despite global uncertainties and commodity fluctuations, the sector has continued to perform strongly, generating over $45 billion in the first eight months.
This article provides a detailed look at Vietnam food exports, exploring key product categories, top markets, performance trends, leading companies, and future opportunities. With the support of reliable sources such as Vietnam trade data providers, businesses can identify new opportunities and make informed decisions.
Overall Performance of Vietnam Food Exports
The performance of Vietnam food exports in recent years highlights resilience, adaptability, and global competitiveness.
2024 Performance: Agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports reached an all-time high of $62.5 billion, creating a trade surplus of nearly $18 billion.
2025 Outlook: In the first half alone, exports hit $33.5 billion, with agriculture contributing over $18 billion. By August, exports reached $45 billion, reflecting year-on-year growth of about 12%.
Vietnam’s rise is not just about volume; it reflects a growing ability to diversify markets, meet global quality standards, and shift from raw materials to value-added processed products.
Rankings of Vietnam’s Major Food Exports
Based on Vietnam export customs data, the country’s global rankings across different commodities are highly impressive:
Cashew Nuts: Largest exporter, accounting for more than 75% of the world’s cashew kernel exports.
Coffee: The world’s top supplier of Robusta coffee.
Rice: Ranked as the second-largest rice exporter globally.
Seafood: Third-largest seafood exporter.
Spices: Third-largest spice exporter.
These rankings underline Vietnam’s dominance in multiple food categories, making it an indispensable player in international trade.
Top Destinations for Vietnam Food Exports (2024–25)
Vietnam food exports are widely diversified, spanning the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. According to trade data, here are the top 10 markets:
United States: $10 billion (16%) – The U.S. has become the largest buyer of Vietnamese food products, with strong demand for coffee, cashews, seafood, and rice.
China: $9.5 billion (15%) – Key market for fruits, rice, and seafood; though recent regulatory changes impacted volumes.
Japan: $3.2 billion (5%) – High growth market with strong demand for premium and traceable products.
South Korea: $2.7 billion (4%) – Rising imports of seafood, fruits, and prepared foods.
Netherlands: $2.5 billion (4%) – Important European entry point for rice, coffee, and spices.
Germany: $2.1 billion (3%) – Strong consumer base for coffee and cashews.
Philippines: $2 billion (3%) – Major importer of rice.
Thailand: $1.8 billion (3%) – Increasing imports of Vietnamese fresh produce and seafood.
United Arab Emirates: $1.5 billion (2%) – Fast-growing market for processed foods.
Indonesia: $1.4 billion (2%) – Rising demand for rice, seafood, and spices.
These markets highlight Vietnam’s ability to balance between traditional buyers (China, U.S.) and emerging regions like the Middle East.
Top Food Export Companies in Vietnam
The success of Vietnam food exports is also driven by industry leaders who consistently deliver quality products. According to Vietnam food exporters data, some of the top food export companies Vietnam are:
Minh Phu Seafood Corp. – $600 million in exports; known globally for shrimp.
Intimex Group JSC – $582 million; a leader in rice exports.
Vinafood 1 – $546 million; focused on rice exports to China and the Philippines.
Vinh Hoan Corporation – $450 million; global leader in pangasius fish.
Sao Ta Foods (Fimex VN) – $300 million; shrimp and seafood specialist.
These companies demonstrate Vietnam’s ability to combine traditional farming strengths with modern processing, logistics, and global market reach. Businesses interested in partnering with Vietnam food exporters can benefit from the comprehensive insights offered by a Vietnam trade data provider.
Vietnam Food Exports by HS Code
Breaking down Vietnam food exports by HS code reveals the top product categories for 2024:
Seafood (HS 03): $10.07 billion – Includes shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid, and crab.
Fruits Vegetables (HS 07 08): $7.12 billion – Led by durian, dragon fruit, mangoes, and bananas.
Rice (HS 1006): $5.75 billion – Primarily exported to the Philippines, China, and Africa.
Coffee (HS 0901): $5.47 billion – Strong demand for Robusta beans.
Cashew Nuts (HS 0801): $4.37 billion – Processed kernels shipped to 90+ markets.
This detailed breakdown from Vietnam export customs data allows businesses to track trends and identify growth opportunities in specific categories.
Challenges Facing Vietnam Food Exports
While Vietnam’s achievements are noteworthy, the sector also faces several challenges:
Commodity Price Volatility: Global coffee and rice price swings impact export earnings.
Regulatory Barriers: Stricter standards in China and the EU require constant compliance.
Logistics Constraints: Cold chain limitations and high shipping costs affect seafood and fruit exports.
Climate Risks: The Mekong Delta faces flooding, drought, and saltwater intrusion.
Global Competition: Thailand (rice, durian), Brazil (coffee), and India (seafood, rice) remain strong competitors.
Strategic Opportunities
Vietnam is actively taking steps to sustain its food export growth:
Diversification of Markets: Expanding into the Middle East, ASEAN, and niche European markets.
Value-Added Products: Shifting from raw commodities to processed goods like roasted coffee or packaged seafood.
Certification Branding: Building trust with geographical indications and organic/sustainability labels.
Improved Infrastructure: Investing in cold storage, logistics, and processing facilities.
For businesses worldwide, working with Vietnam food exporters offers not only high-quality products but also growth potential in diverse markets.
Conclusion
The story of Vietnam food exports in 2024–25 reflects both strength and vulnerability. Record-breaking exports in 2024 underline Vietnam’s role as a global food powerhouse, while challenges in 2025 show how sensitive the sector is to market fluctuations, regulatory standards, and climate risks.
Yet, with strong fundamentals, an expanding network of top food export companies Vietnam, and growing focus on value-added products, the outlook remains positive. Businesses seeking reliable suppliers and verified market intelligence should rely on a Vietnam trade data provider to access Vietnam export customs data and track emerging trends.
By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and diversification, Vietnam is set to reinforce its position as a leader in global food trade, offering unmatched opportunities for global buyers and partners.
