Seafood exporters have fresh opportunities to gain greater access to high-value markets, after negotiations concluded with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on a free trade agreement (FTA) that would help Việt Nam diversify exports amid rising global trade uncertainties.
The FTA would increase access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the Southeast Asian country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value, the association said.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that the trade deal, which covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, came as seafood exporters face growing protectionism and increasingly stringent food safety and sustainability requirements in major markets.
According to the association, Vietnamese exporters should not compete on price but focus on higher-value products such as processed shrimp, premium frozen shrimp, pangasius fillets and portioned cuts, processed pangasius, tuna, squid, octopus, crab, shellfish and ready-to-cook seafood products for retail chains.
VASEP urged exporters to fully comply with origin requirements, certification procedures, food safety regulations and technical standards to be able to benefit from the preferential tariffs under the trade deal.
Early preparations in quality control, sustainability certification, traceability systems, compliance with rules of origin and packaging, as well as closer relationships with retailers, importers and food service distributors in Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, are needed for exporters to be able to seize opportunities from the trade deal.
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are members of the European Economic Area and closely aligned with EU standards, while Switzerland maintains similarly strict requirements on food safety, traceability, environmental protection, labour practices and corporate social responsibility.
To expand market share in EFTA countries, Vietnamese seafood companies will need to strengthen standards across the entire supply chain, from aquaculture and fishing vessels to processing plants, cold storage, packaging and sustainability certification.
Over the longer term, VASEP said EFTA could become a valuable niche market, helping Việt Nam raise both the value and sustainability of its seafood exports while strengthening its position in global seafood supply chains.
Beyond trade, the FTA could strengthen cooperation in technology and investment as Norway and Iceland are recognised for their expertise in marine aquaculture, fisheries management, cold-chain technology, seafood processing and logistics.
VASEP said the agreement could create opportunities for cooperation in technology transfer, raw material supply, investment, supply chain management and product development.
At the same time, lower tariffs were expected to make seafood imports from EFTA countries, particularly Norwegian and Icelandic salmon, mackerel, cod, whitefish and frozen seafood products, more competitive in the Vietnamese market.
This would increase competition in premium retail and also encourage domestic producers to improve product quality, invest in value-added processing, strengthen branding and modernise distribution systems, the association said.
Although seafood exports to the EFTA bloc remain modest, recent growth suggests untapped potential.
In 2025, seafood exports to Switzerland rose by 15 per cent year-on-year to US$34.1 million, while shipments to Norway nearly doubled, increasing 95 per cent to $18.5 million.
In the first five months of 2026, exports to Switzerland fell by 15 per cent from a year earlier to $13.4 million, equivalent to around 0.3 per cent of the country's total seafood exports. Shipments to Norway, however, climbed 36.7 per cent to $7 million over the same period, with May exports alone rising by 11.5 per cent year-on-year to $1.64 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) held the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026). The summit brought together more than 300 delegates, including business leaders, government regulators, experts and partners from across the seafood value chain. Over five in-depth panel sessions, participants looked at opportunities and challenges and discussed practical ways to sustain growth and make Vietnam’s seafood industry more competitive in 2027–2029.
On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will host Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.” The summit will discuss market scenarios and strategic options to help Vietnam’s seafood industry unlock new growth opportunities, increase export value, and strengthen its competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the EU reached more than USD 4 million, up 2% year on year. The EU accounted for 4% of total tilapia export value, ranking behind major markets such as Brazil, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the CPTPP bloc.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2026, in Hanoi, Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), was awarded the Top 30 Outstanding Cultural and Reputable Enterprises of 2026 certificate by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). This group represents the most distinguished companies among the 100 enterprises honored at the “Cultural and Reputable Enterprises 2026” announcement ceremony.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached approximately $148 million, up 12% compared to the same period in 2025. In September 2026 alone, export turnover to this market hit $18 million, a 27% year-on-year increase. Despite diverging demand across member states, the EU remains a market with growth potential for Vietnamese pangasius, particularly as supplies of several traditional whitefish species face mounting pressure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US are showing a clear recovery after a difficult start to the year. However, the rebound is taking place against a backdrop of declining US tuna imports and a shifting supply structure, posing new challenges for Vietnamese businesses.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached US$440.9 million, up 6.4% year on year. This result is noteworthy as Japan’s total shrimp imports continued to decline slightly and competition among suppliers intensified. Demand for convenience foods and processed products continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese exporters, but capitalizing on these opportunities requires stronger competitiveness and the ability to meet increasingly specific market requirements.
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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