Vietnam and Japan have many opportunities in tightening their cooperation in developing the agriculture. Japan has a developed agriculture, which focuses on applying modern technologies in food production. However, Japanese agricultural products just satisfy about 45 percent of domestic consumption and demand. The country has still relied on imported products. This will be, therefore, an opportunity for Vietnam to boost exports of these products to Japan.
Vietnam and Japan signed Japan-Vietnam Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), which has brought Vietnam many advantages. Vietnamese exporters enjoyed tax reduce or exemption and did not face antidumping disputes.
At the meeting, Tran Tuan Anh expressed the hope to receive Japan’s supports in establishing cooperation field, legal framework, policies on implementation and management of standards for agricultural products in Vietnam.
On Japanese side, the head of delegation affirmed that Vietnam has been one of the key export markets of Japan. He hoped that this new cooperation would contribute to developing bilateral ties, especially in agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors.
Reducing technical barriers
Since 1993, Japan has been the leading market of Vietnamese seafood products, representing 20 percent of yearly export value, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Shrimp, squid, octopus and tuna from Vietnam are welcomed by Japanese consumers.
However, these recent years, Vietnamese seafood exporters have been meeting difficulties due to stricter regulations on animal quarantine by Japan.
In the middle of May 2012, Japan decided to test 30 percent of shrimp consignments originated from Vietnam with MRLs of 0.01 ppm. This barrier consecutively caused drops in shrimp exports to this destination since then.
“Vietnam and Japan need to take measures to build up policies through issuing new regulations and agreements in order to facilitate the expansion of trade exchanges between the two countries. The two sides are negotiating to sign a bilateral agreement on plant and animal quarantine. Vietnam requested Japan authorities to increase MRLs of Ethoxyquin in shrimp from 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm. Vietnam also loosened regulations on radiation testing of all products imported from Japan,” said Tran Tuan Anh.
Vietnam also hoped to receive further supports of Japan government in order to accelerate bilateral cooperation in the fishery sector in the coming time.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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