Abalone, frozen oysters, flounder, and other Korean delicacies are imported into Vietnam, while Japan imports into Vietnam some products including scallops, amberjack….
Imported frozen seafood from Korea and Japan is on the rise in Vietnam. These products are not only in high demand at Korean restaurants and eateries in Vietnam but are also gaining popularity among Vietnamese consumers due to their competitive prices compared to domestic products.
Mr. Kim Ki Hoon, a representative of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea, stated that Vietnam is the fourth largest trading partner of Korean food products and a close friend of Korea in terms of economy, culture, and bilateral relations.
"The demand for products like seaweed and canned tuna among Vietnamese consumers is increasing, similar to the Korean fondness for Vietnamese pho and bun cha," Mr. Kim Ki Hoon said.
The Korea Seafood Festival was put on by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea's Export Promotion Agency for Processed Products, AT Center, in association with the MM Mega Market Vietnam supermarket chain, to meet the rising demand for Korean cuisine in Vietnam. MM Mega Market supermarkets will display and provide a large selection of seafood and seafood-processed items that are directly imported from Korea for 10%–20% off till the end of June 2024.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan, Director of Business Development at MM Mega Market, stated that the demand for Korean seafood is on the rise. The Korea Seafood Festival presents an opportunity for the supermarket to further promote Korean specialties to domestic consumers.
Meanwhile, Vietnam also represents a promising market for Japanese seafood as the number of Japanese restaurants continues to grow. Japanese seafood has gained market acceptance for its quality, freshness, and suitability for raw consumption.
According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, in 2023, Vietnam imported USD 170 million worth of seafood from Japan, equivalent to the figure in 2022.
As per the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), the Japanese government is implementing initiatives to promote the allure of Japanese seafood domestically and internationally, while diversifying export markets.
Mr. Toru Yoshimatsu, a representative of MAFF, stated that Vietnam has a long history of seafood processing factories. As a result, Japanese businesses are choosing Vietnam as a processing hub for exports to the United States, ASEAN countries, and beyond. Among seafood products, scallops, yellowtail and red sea bream are Japan's primary export items.
In addition to the discounted imported products, domestic items are also being promoted by supermarkets through various campaigns to stimulate demand and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese products.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
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