Importing from India to Vietnam
A growing Southeast Asian market for groundnut kernels and fish meal, feeding Vietnam's food-processing and aquaculture sectors.
Quick answer: Vietnam is a substantial market for Indian groundnut kernels (roughly USD 125 million) and fish meal, with dried red chilli also moving in volume. Transit from Indian ports to Ho Chi Minh City or Haiphong is typically 10–16 days. Vietnam's large aquaculture industry drives meaningful fish meal demand, while groundnut kernels serve both food and oil-processing use.
Feeding Vietnam's food-processing and aquaculture sectors
Vietnam's Indian import profile centres on inputs for two of its largest industries: fish meal for its substantial aquaculture sector, and groundnut kernels for food and oil processing. Dried red chilli adds further volume.
Aquaculture demand is the story behind fish meal
Vietnam is one of the world's largest producers of farmed shrimp and pangasius catfish, and that industry needs a steady, quality-consistent feed-ingredient supply. Fish meal specification — protein content, freshness indicators, contamination testing — matters more to Vietnamese feed-mill buyers than to most markets, so expect detailed technical questions on a first enquiry.
India as a complementary, not competing, supplier
Vietnam is itself a major agricultural exporter, so where India supplies Vietnam it's usually because Indian origin offers something specific — price, available volume, or timing that domestic or other regional supply doesn't cover at that moment. That's worth keeping in mind when planning a Vietnam-facing sourcing programme: continuity of supply may matter as much as price.
Key facts
- Leading Indian imports: groundnut kernels, fish meal, red chilli
- Transit: 10–16 days to Ho Chi Minh City
- Fish meal demand driven by Vietnam's large aquaculture sector
- Vietnam is itself a major agricultural exporter — India supplies complementary volume
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What India exports to Vietnam
Products we handle where verified trade data shows India exporting to Vietnam. Figures are India's total exports of that product to Vietnam in the year shown — not our own shipment volumes.
| Product | India's exports to Vietnam | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean meal (de-oiled cake) (HS 2304) | $192,228,030 | 2023 |
| Groundnut Kernels (HS 1202.42) | $124,891,980 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Fish Meal (HS 2301.20) | $40,458,240 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Red Chilli (dried) (HS 0904.21 / 0904.22) | $20,162,810 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Fresh red onion (HS 0703 10) | $18,813,690 | 2023 |
| Other Oil-Cake & Residues (incl. Neem Cake) (HS 2306.90) | $1,538,710 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Organic manure / cow dung / animal & vegetable fertilizers (HS 3101) | $597,110 | 2023 |
| Garlic (HS 0703.20) | $328,170 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) (HS 0307.43) | $116,620 | 2024 (calendar year) |
Sources: compiled from the per-product trade-data files cited on each product page — primarily WITS (World Bank) / UN Comtrade for calendar year 2024, with some products from APEDA, MPEDA and trade-press compilations. Each product page states its own source, year and any limitations. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
Ports & transit time
| Destination port | Typical transit from Indian west-coast ports |
|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai / Cai Mep) | 10–16 days |
| Haiphong | 12–18 days |
Transit times are general guidance based on typical shipping-line schedules and change with routing and transshipment. Ask for a current estimate to your port.
Documentation for shipments to Vietnam
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- Phytosanitary certificate for plant-origin goods
- Certificate of origin
- Certificate of analysis / lab test report, particularly for feed ingredients like fish meal
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Payment & currency norms
USD is standard for trade invoicing. TT and LC are both used depending on buyer size; Vietnam's food-processing and feed-manufacturing sectors include established importers with efficient payment processes.
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Vietnam import FAQs
Vietnam has one of the world's largest aquaculture industries (shrimp and pangasius farming especially), which drives substantial demand for fish meal as a feed ingredient. Indian fish meal is one of several origins Vietnamese feed mills source from.
Both direct food use and oil extraction, depending on the buyer and grade. Vietnam is one of the larger destinations for Indian groundnut kernels in the data we've verified.
Typically 10–16 days to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's primary container gateway, or 12–18 days to Haiphong in the north.
In some categories, yes — Vietnam is itself a major agricultural producer and exporter. Where India supplies Vietnam, it's typically for products or grades where Indian origin offers a price, volume or timing advantage, such as groundnut kernels and fish meal.
Related markets
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