Top Seafood Exports from Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is the world's most important seafood exporting region. This guide covers the key species, export volumes, and trade dynamics across Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam — and how to source from the region effectively.
Southeast Asia accounts for a substantial share of global seafood production and trade. The region's tropical waters, extensive coastlines, and well-developed aquaculture industries make it a powerhouse for both wild-caught and farmed seafood. For international buyers — whether you are a distributor, retailer, food service operator, or private label brand — understanding what each country produces and exports is essential for building a reliable, cost-effective supply chain. This guide breaks down the top seafood exports from Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, covering species, volumes, key markets, and what buyers need to know when sourcing from the region.
Why Southeast Asia Dominates Global Seafood Trade
Southeast Asia's dominance in seafood exports is not accidental. Several structural advantages give the region an outsized role in global seafood supply chains. The tropical climate supports year-round aquaculture production, eliminating the seasonal constraints that limit output in temperate regions. Vast coastlines stretching thousands of kilometers provide access to rich fishing grounds in the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, the Java Sea, and the South China Sea. Labor costs remain competitive, allowing processors to offer value-added products — peeled and deveined shrimp, breaded fillets, ready-to-cook preparations — at price points that are difficult to match elsewhere.
Government investment in aquaculture technology, processing infrastructure, and food safety compliance has further strengthened the region's export capabilities. Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam collectively export over USD 25 billion worth of seafood annually, supplying major markets in the United States, European Union, Japan, China, South Korea, and the Middle East. The region's processing facilities increasingly meet the highest international standards, including HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000, and EU approval — making Southeast Asian seafood accessible to even the most quality-conscious buyers.
Global Reach
Exports to 150+ countries across six continents, with established logistics routes to every major market.
Species Diversity
Over 100 commercially exported species, from premium shrimp to commodity whitefish and specialty cephalopods.
Scale & Capacity
Thousands of FDA-registered and EU-approved processing facilities with combined output of millions of tonnes annually.
Thailand: The Processing Powerhouse
Thailand has been one of the world's top seafood exporters for decades. While its own fishing waters have faced sustainability pressures — leading to important reforms in fisheries management — Thailand has evolved into a global seafood processing hub, importing raw materials from neighboring countries and adding value through its advanced processing infrastructure. Thai seafood exports are valued at approximately USD 6 to 7 billion annually, with processed and value-added products accounting for a growing share.
Key Species: Shrimp
Thailand was historically the world's largest shrimp exporter before being overtaken by India and Ecuador in raw volume. However, Thailand remains a leader in processed shrimp products — cooked, peeled and deveined, breaded, and ready-to-eat preparations. The primary farmed species is Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), produced in farms across the southern and eastern coastal provinces. Thai shrimp farms have increasingly adopted intensive and semi-intensive pond systems with biosecurity measures that reduce disease risk. Typical export sizes range from 16/20 to 71/90 count per pound, with the bulk of production falling in the 31/40 to 51/60 range. Key markets for Thai shrimp include the United States, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union.
Key Species: Tuna
Thailand is the world's largest exporter of processed tuna, particularly canned and pouched tuna products. Major processing facilities in Samut Sakhon and Songkhla process skipjack, yellowfin, and albacore tuna sourced from both Thai-flagged vessels and international suppliers fishing in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Beyond canned products, Thailand exports frozen tuna loins, steaks, and sashimi-grade portions. The tuna processing industry alone generates over USD 2 billion in annual export revenue, with the United States, European Union, Australia, and the Middle East as primary destinations.
Key Species: Squid and Cuttlefish
Thai waters in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea support significant squid and cuttlefish fisheries. Commonly exported species include Indian squid (Loligo duvaucelii), splendid squid (Loligo chinensis), and pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). Product forms range from whole cleaned tubes to rings, tentacles, and value-added preparations like stuffed squid. Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Spain are major markets for Thai cephalopod exports.
Other Notable Exports
Thailand also exports significant volumes of tilapia (both whole and fillets), sardines, mackerel, crab meat (particularly pasteurized blue swimming crab), surimi and surimi-based products, and a wide range of value-added prepared seafood. The country's strength lies in its processing sophistication — Thai factories can produce custom specifications, private label packaging, and ready-to-retail products that many competing origins cannot match.
Hanuman Seafood operates processing facilities in Thailand, giving our buyers direct access to the country's full range of seafood products with guaranteed quality and documentation compliance.
Indonesia: The Archipelago of Abundance
Indonesia is the world's second-largest fish producing country after China, with over 17,000 islands and the largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in Southeast Asia. The country's seafood exports are valued at approximately USD 5 to 6 billion annually, driven by a combination of wild-capture fisheries and rapidly growing aquaculture. Indonesia's vast archipelago supports extraordinary marine biodiversity, and its warm tropical waters are ideal for farming shrimp, tilapia, pangasius, and seaweed.
Key Species: Shrimp
Indonesia is one of the world's top five shrimp producers, with vannamei shrimp dominating production alongside significant volumes of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Indonesian shrimp farming is concentrated in Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. The country produces a full range of sizes, from large head-on shell-on tiger shrimp for premium markets to smaller vannamei for the processed and food service segments. Indonesian shrimp is exported to the United States, Japan, the European Union, China, and Southeast Asian neighbors. The country's competitive advantage lies in lower production costs and the availability of both vannamei and black tiger species, giving buyers more flexibility in product sourcing.
Key Species: Tuna
Indonesia is the world's largest tuna producing country, with catches of skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna from the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Banda Sea. Indonesian tuna exports include frozen whole round fish, loins, steaks, and canned products. The handline-caught yellowfin and bigeye tuna from eastern Indonesia are particularly prized for sashimi markets in Japan. Total tuna exports from Indonesia exceed 200,000 tonnes annually, making it a critical source of supply for global tuna buyers. Sustainability initiatives including pole-and-line and handline fishing methods have improved the marketability of Indonesian tuna in eco-conscious markets.
Key Species: Crab
Indonesia is a major exporter of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), with pasteurized and fresh crab meat being the primary export forms. The Indonesian crab fishery is one of the largest in the world, with processing facilities concentrated in Java and Sumatra. Crab meat is graded as jumbo lump, lump, backfin, claw, and special, with the United States being the dominant export market. Indonesia also exports significant volumes of mud crab (Scylla serrata), particularly live and frozen, to markets in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Key Species: Tilapia and Pangasius
Indonesian tilapia production has grown rapidly, with Lake Toba in North Sumatra and cage culture operations across Java producing significant volumes for export. Tilapia fillets — both fresh and frozen — are exported primarily to the United States and European Union. Pangasius (also known as basa or swai) farming in Indonesia has expanded as buyers seek alternative sources beyond Vietnam. Indonesian pangasius offers competitive pricing and is increasingly available in well-trimmed fillet forms that meet international quality expectations.
Other Notable Exports
Indonesia exports substantial volumes of octopus, squid, snapper, grouper, barramundi, milkfish, and seaweed. The country's wild-capture fisheries produce a remarkable diversity of species, while aquaculture continues to expand across both freshwater and marine environments. For buyers seeking species variety and competitive pricing, Indonesia is an essential sourcing origin.
Our regional sourcing network allows Hanuman Seafood to access a wide range of Southeast Asian seafood. Explore our product range or learn about our quality assurance processes for Indonesian-origin products.
Vietnam: The Fast-Growing Export Giant
Vietnam's seafood export industry has experienced explosive growth over the past two decades, rising from a relatively minor player to one of the world's top five seafood exporters. Vietnamese seafood exports now exceed USD 9 to 10 billion annually, driven by shrimp, pangasius, tuna, and a diversifying portfolio of marine and freshwater species. The government's strategic investment in aquaculture research, processing infrastructure, and trade agreements — including free trade deals with the EU (EVFTA), the UK, and CPTPP member nations — has given Vietnamese exporters preferential market access and a strong competitive position.
Key Species: Shrimp
Vietnam is one of the world's largest shrimp exporters, with production concentrated in the Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, and Kien Giang. Both vannamei and black tiger shrimp are farmed extensively, with Vietnam being one of the few origins that still produces significant volumes of premium black tiger shrimp. Vietnamese shrimp exports reached approximately USD 3.5 to 4 billion in recent years, with the EU, United States, Japan, South Korea, and China as primary markets. The country produces raw, cooked, peeled, breaded, and value-added shrimp products across a wide range of sizes and specifications.
Key Species: Pangasius
Vietnam is the world's dominant exporter of pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), marketed internationally as basa, swai, or river cobbler. The Mekong Delta — particularly An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho provinces — is the global center of pangasius farming, with annual production exceeding 1.5 million tonnes. Pangasius is exported as frozen fillets (skin-off, well-trimmed) in sizes ranging from 60-120g to 220g and above. The product's mild flavor, white flesh, boneless format, and low price point have made it one of the world's most widely consumed whitefish. Key export markets include the EU, United States, China, ASEAN countries, and the Middle East. Vietnam's pangasius exports typically range from USD 1.5 to 2 billion annually.
Key Species: Tuna
Vietnam's central coast provinces, particularly Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa, support a significant tuna fishery targeting yellowfin and bigeye tuna in the South China Sea and adjacent waters. Vietnamese tuna exports include frozen loins, steaks, sashimi-grade portions, and canned products. The EVFTA trade agreement has given Vietnamese tuna processors duty-free access to the EU market, accelerating export growth. Vietnam's tuna exports are valued at approximately USD 800 million to 1 billion annually.
Key Species: Squid and Octopus
Vietnam exports significant volumes of squid and octopus, sourced from both domestic fisheries and imported raw materials for re-processing. Vietnamese processing facilities produce tubes, rings, tentacles, whole cleaned squid, and octopus in whole and cut forms. South Korea, Japan, and the EU are major destinations. The country's cephalopod processing capabilities have expanded significantly, with modern factories capable of producing IQF, glazed, and value-added preparations to international specifications.
Other Notable Exports
Vietnam also exports clams (particularly surf clams and baby clams), tilapia, catfish, surimi, dried seafood, and a growing range of prepared and marinated products. The country's trade agreements and competitive labor costs make it an increasingly attractive sourcing origin for buyers in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.
Southeast Asia Seafood Export Data at a Glance
The following table summarizes the key export species and estimated annual export values from each country. These figures are based on industry data and government trade statistics, and reflect the region's significant contribution to global seafood trade.
| Species | Thailand | Indonesia | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | USD 1.5–2B | USD 1.5–2B | USD 3.5–4B |
| Tuna | USD 2–2.5B | USD 1–1.5B | USD 0.8–1B |
| Pangasius | Minimal | Growing | USD 1.5–2B |
| Squid / Cuttlefish | USD 300–500M | USD 200–400M | USD 400–600M |
| Crab | USD 200–300M | USD 500–700M | USD 100–200M |
| Tilapia | USD 100–200M | USD 200–400M | USD 50–100M |
Note: Export values are approximate annual ranges based on recent trade data from FAO, national fisheries agencies, and industry reports. Actual figures fluctuate with global pricing, currency exchange rates, and annual production volumes.
Key Destination Markets for Southeast Asian Seafood
Southeast Asian seafood reaches virtually every corner of the globe, but certain markets dominate in terms of import volume and value. Understanding where the product flows helps buyers assess competition, pricing dynamics, and regulatory requirements.
United States
The US is the largest single-country market for Southeast Asian seafood, importing massive volumes of shrimp, tuna, pangasius, crab meat, and tilapia. FDA registration and compliance with US import requirements — including FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Programs) — are essential for suppliers targeting this market. Shrimp is by far the largest category, with the US importing over 700,000 tonnes annually from all sources, with Southeast Asia providing a significant share.
European Union
The EU is the world's largest seafood importing bloc, with strict food safety standards, IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing regulations, and sustainability expectations. Southeast Asian exporters must hold EU establishment approval numbers and comply with catch certification requirements. Vietnam's EVFTA provides preferential tariff access, giving Vietnamese exporters a cost advantage in this market. Key imported species include shrimp, tuna, pangasius, and squid.
Japan
Japan is a premium seafood market with exacting quality standards. Southeast Asian shrimp — particularly large-size black tiger and vannamei — is in high demand for the Japanese food service and retail sectors. Tuna, squid, and octopus are also major import categories. Japanese buyers prioritize product consistency, precise specification compliance, and long-term supplier relationships.
China and Other Asian Markets
China has emerged as a massive importer of Southeast Asian seafood, driven by growing domestic consumption and a rising middle class. Shrimp, crab, and fish are the leading categories. South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and ASEAN neighbors also represent significant markets, with regional trade agreements facilitating lower tariffs and smoother customs processes.
Middle East and Africa
The Middle East is a growing market for Halal-certified frozen seafood, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt being key destinations. African markets — particularly in West Africa and Southern Africa — import frozen fish and shrimp from Southeast Asia, often in more economical product forms and pack sizes. These markets offer growth opportunities for exporters willing to meet specific regional requirements.
What Buyers Should Consider When Sourcing from Southeast Asia
Sourcing seafood from Southeast Asia offers significant advantages, but buyers should be aware of several factors that influence supplier selection, pricing, and supply reliability.
For a deeper understanding of the import process, read our complete guide to importing seafood, or explore our seafood certifications guide to understand which accreditations matter most for your market.
Hanuman Seafood: Your Southeast Asia Sourcing Partner
Hanuman Seafood is uniquely positioned to help international buyers source the best of Southeast Asian seafood. With processing operations in Thailand and supply relationships across the region, we provide access to a comprehensive range of species, product forms, and specifications — all backed by rigorous quality assurance and full export documentation support.
Whether you are sourcing commodity volumes of frozen shrimp or developing a private label seafood brand, Hanuman Seafood has the expertise, infrastructure, and product range to be your reliable partner in Southeast Asian seafood sourcing.
Source Southeast Asian Seafood with Confidence
Contact Hanuman Seafood to discuss your sourcing requirements. Our team will help you identify the right products, origins, and specifications for your market.