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 February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
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