Integration – Penetration – Assimilation
Stronger integration, deeper penetration and more assimilation are three phrases to evaluate the effectiveness of FTAs in general and the CPTPP agreement in particular for Vietnam seafood industry.
After 5 years, with seafood export turnover increasing from 2.2 billion USD to 2.9 billion USD in 2022, reaching 2.4 billion USD in 2023, CPTPP is the market group with the second strongest growth rate, after China. In 2018, CPTPP accounted for 25% of Vietnam's seafood exports, by 2023, it accounted for nearly 27%.
The clear changes in seafood exports 5 years after the CPTPP agreement took effect are:
First, in terms of exports, the increase rates in exports to CPTPP countries is stronger than other markets. In particular, Canada, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia...
- Vietnamese seafood’s market share in these markets went up, showing increased competitive strength thanks to the CPTPP agreement.
For example, in Canada: market share increased from 7-8% to 10%, of which shrimp alone increased from 18% to 25% and ranked first; tuna also increased from 6% to 11% and ranked third.
In Australia, Vietnam’s shrimp holds an overwhelming market share of 70%, nearly doubling from 32% before signing the agreement. These numbers reflect the significant increase in Vietnamese seafood exports to CPTPP markets since joining the agreement.
Second, there is a rise in seafood imports to Vietnam for processing and re-export, as well as for domestic consumption;
Integration is also shown through collaborative efforts to enhance the quality and efficiency of seafood processing for expor, thanks to investments and partnerships in technology, techniques, and applying scientific advancements in aquaculture, processing, and seafood export.
CPTPP expansion - more opportunities for the seafood industry
The UK signed an agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - a milestone that could lead to moremembers joining the agreement. These changes also create more opportunities for Vietnamese seafood to penetrate the market and integrate by diversifying raw material sources.
Currently, under the bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the UK, preferential import taxes on key Vietnamese seafood products to the UK are mostly zero. However, a few product codes such as processed shrimp HS code 160521 and 160529 are still subject to a 7% tax rate. Of course, these two Vietnamese product lines are both in the No. 1 position in the UK, dominating 36% of the market share, but the room for growth will be greater when Vietnamese shrimp is subject to CPTPP tariff preferences.
In addition, the opportunity to diversify raw material sources for processing exports within the bloc will increase. In addition, Vietnamese companies is also a partner for the UK in the processing of seafood products from the UK, such as cod.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This figure reflects an emerging export sector that is taking advantage of market gaps created by global trade disruptions, while larger producers are adjusting their strategies.
On the afternoon of May 28, the People’s Committee of Ho Thi Ky Commune signed a memorandum of understanding with Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Social Co., Ltd. (a member of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation) on cooperation to develop a black tiger shrimp farming area meeting international certification standards during the 2026–2030 period in the commune.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
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