Vietnam Export Frozen Sea Fish: A Guide to 7 Wild-Caught Species
Vietnam Export Frozen Sea Fish: A Procurement Guide to 7 Wild-Caught Species
Vietnam's coastline gives it direct access to a large, steady supply of wild-caught pelagic fish. For procurement teams sourcing frozen fish at volume, this guide covers seven species commonly exported from Vietnam — their specifications, certifications, and the buying considerations that matter most before you request a quote.
Key Takeaways
Vietnam exports seven main wild-caught pelagic species: Indian Mackerel, Layang Scad, Round Scad, Big Eye Scad, Sardine, Yellowstripe Trevally, and Yellow Tail Scad. All seven are processed under HACCP, BRC, FDA, HALAL, SMETA, ISO, and IFS certification, IQF frozen, and stored at -18°C with full net weight. Buyers typically fall into two groups: ethnic grocery distributors sourcing whole fish for retail, and food manufacturers sourcing raw material for canning or further processing.
Size and Packing at a Glance
| Species | Latin Name | Size | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Mackerel | Rastrelliger kanagurta | 4/6, 6/8, 8/10 pc/kg | IQF, 500g/VP with rider × 20/CTN |
| Layang Scad | Decapterus macrosoma | 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/14, 14/16, 16/25, 25/30, 30/40, 40/50 pc/kg | IQF, 500g/VP with rider × 20/CTN |
| Round Scad | Decapterus maruadsi | 4/6, 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/16, 16/20, 20/25, 25/30 pc/kg | 500g/bag × 20/CTN |
| Big Eye Scad | Selar crumenophthalmus | 2/4, 4/6, 6/8, 8/10 pc/kg | 500g/bag × 20/CTN |
| Sardine | Sardinella gibbosa | 10-15 cm/pc | IQF, 500g/bag × 20/CTN |
| Yellowstripe Trevally | Selaroides leptolepis | 16/25, 26/30, 30/35, 35/40 pc/kg | IQF, 400g/tray/PA with rider × 22/CTN |
| Yellow Tail Scad | Atule mate | 2/4, 4/6, 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/16, 16/20, 20/25, 25/30, 30/35 pc/kg | IQF, 500g/bag × 20/CTN |
All items are net weight 100%, IQF frozen, 24-month shelf life at -18°C.
1. Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)
Size: 4/6, 6/8, 8/10 pc/kg.
Packing: IQF, 500g/VP with rider × 20/CTN.
A high-volume staple species with consistent year-round supply from Vietnamese coastal waters. Known regionally as Cá Bạc Má (Vietnam), Hasa-hasa (Philippines), Maquereau indien (France). Suited to buyers who need dependable stock levels at competitive pricing rather than a specialty item.
Procurement fit: ethnic grocery distributors, foodservice buyers sourcing an affordable, high-turnover SKU.
→ Frozen Indian Mackerel, Whole Round
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2. Layang Scad (Decapterus macrosoma)
Size: 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/14, 14/16, 16/25, 25/30, 30/40, 40/50 pc/kg.
Packing: IQF, 500g/VP with rider × 20/CTN.
Sold internationally as Galunggong (Philippines) — one of the most recognized trade names in the category, which can help with buyer trust in Filipino retail channels. Nine size grades allow tight matching to specific portion or packaging requirements.
Procurement fit: distributors serving Filipino/Southeast Asian retail, buyers who benefit from strong brand-name recognition at point of sale.
→ Frozen Layang Scad, Whole Round
.jpg)
3. Round Scad (Decapterus maruadsi)
Size: 4/6, 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/16, 16/20, 20/25, 25/30 pc/kg.
Packing: 500g/bag × 20/CTN.
A distinct species from Layang Scad, though trade names for both sometimes overlap (Galunggong, Round Scad). Confirm the Latin name on your PO and supplier documentation to avoid receiving the wrong species against a specific customer or recipe requirement.
Procurement fit: buyers who have already specified this exact species, processors needing consistent size grading across repeat orders.
→ Frozen Round Scad, Whole Round
.jpg)
4. Big Eye Scad (Selar crumenophthalmus)
Size: 2/4, 4/6, 6/8, 8/10 pc/kg.
Packing: 500g/bag × 20/CTN.
Larger average size than the other scad species on this list, with firmer flesh — a relevant spec if your end application requires a more substantial portion size or better structural integrity through additional processing steps.
Procurement fit: foodservice buyers needing a larger-format scad, distributors diversifying an existing scad product line.
→ Frozen Big Eye Scad, Whole Round
5. Sardine (Sardinella gibbosa)
Size: 10-15 cm/pc.
Packing: IQF, 500g/bag × 20/CTN.
Sized by length rather than pieces-per-kg, which matters for canning line specifications. High Omega-3 content supports health-positioned retail and private-label claims where nutritional labeling is a purchasing factor.
Procurement fit: cannery and food manufacturing buyers, retail buyers building Omega-3/health-forward product lines.
.JPG)
6. Yellowstripe Trevally (Selaroides leptolepis)
Size: 16/25, 26/30, 30/35, 35/40 pc/kg.
Packing: IQF, 400g/tray/PA with rider × 22/CTN.
Procurement fit: buyers needing a milder-flavor SKU, distributors serving both Vietnamese and Filipino accounts from one source.
→ Frozen Yellowstripe Trevally, Whole Round
.jpg)
7. Yellow Tail Scad (Atule mate)
Size: 2/4, 4/6, 6/8, 8/10, 10/12, 12/16, 16/20, 20/25, 25/30, 30/35 pc/kg.
Packing: IQF, 500g/bag × 20/CTN.
The widest size range of any species in this guide — ten grades — giving buyers flexibility to consolidate multiple portion-size requirements into a single-species order rather than sourcing several species to hit different size targets.
Procurement fit: bulk buyers needing steady, high-volume supply with size flexibility built into one SKU.
→ Frozen Yellow Tail Scad, Whole Round
.jpg)
Procurement Checklist Before Ordering
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Confirm Latin name on the PO | Layang Scad and Round Scad share trade names but are different species |
| Confirm size grade against end use | Ranges vary from 2 grades (Sardine, by length) to 10 grades (Yellow Tail Scad) |
| Confirm packing format and carton count | Formats vary (500g bag vs. 400g tray) — affects landed cost and container planning |
| Request current certification copies | HACCP, BRC, FDA, HALAL, SMETA, ISO, IFS — confirm validity dates before shipment |
| Confirm IUU-free traceability documentation | Required for most regulated import markets |
| Ask about mixed-species container options | Useful for smaller-volume buyers testing multiple SKUs |
Why Source Wild-Caught Sea Fish from Vietnam
Vietnam's coastal fishing grounds support consistent, high-volume supply of small pelagic species, backed by an established processing and export infrastructure. Baseafood processes and exports all seven species in this guide under HACCP, BRC, FDA, HALAL, SMETA, ISO, and IFS certification, with full IUU-free traceability from catch to delivery.
Sourcing multiple species from a single supplier simplifies procurement — buyers can consolidate several SKUs into one container (LCL) rather than managing separate purchase orders and shipping schedules across multiple exporters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Layang Scad and Round Scad? They are different species — Layang Scad is Decapterus macrosoma, Round Scad is Decapterus maruadsi. Trade names overlap in some markets (both may be called "Galunggong"), so confirm the Latin name with your supplier before ordering.
Are these species wild-caught or farmed? All seven species in this guide are wild-caught from Vietnam's coastal waters.
Which species is best suited for canning? Sardine is the most common choice for canning lines, given its size profile and established use in the canned fish trade.
Can multiple species be consolidated into one container? Yes. Most Vietnamese exporters, including Baseafood, can combine multiple species into a single LCL container, or arrange FCL for a single species. Confirm minimum order quantities per SKU with your supplier.
What documentation should I request before shipment? Current HACCP/BRC/FDA/HALAL/SMETA/ISO/IFS certification copies, IUU-free traceability documentation, and a certificate of origin, depending on your destination market's import requirements.
How do I request a quote or sample? Contact Baseafood with your target species, size grade, target market, and volume for FOB/CIF pricing, samples, and export documentation.
Contact Baseafood — Vietnam Frozen Sea Fish Supplier & Exporter
For quotations, samples, or export documentation for any species in this guide, contact:
Ms. Nguyen
Email: nguyen.thao@baseafood.net
WhatsApp: +84 702 520 288
