In the first 2 months of 2023, Vietnam's shrimp exports to South Korea reached more than 46 million USD, down 25% compared to the same period in 2022. Shrimp exports to South Korea in the first months of this year followed a general downward trend as the world economy fell into recession, inflation increased, purchasing power decreased.
In 2022, South Korea is a market with stable shrimp consumption demand. Moreover, the advantage of close distance, and a quite moderate inflation rate have helped to boost Vietnam's shrimp exports to South Korea to reach $468 million, up 26% compared to 2021.
In 5 years (2018-2022), Vietnam's shrimp exports to South Korea grew steadily from 386 million USD in 2018 to 468 million USD in 2022, up 21%. In particular, whiteleg shrimp products exported to Korea have grown sharply and continuously from 2019 up to now.
The FTA between Vietnam and South Korea, which was effective since 2015, has facilitated trade and import tariffs for Vietnamese shrimp products. However, according to detailed information from VASEP member enterprises, Vietnamese shrimp products imported into Korea are being subject to quota regulations.
The South Korea Government request auctions to buy shrimp import quotas from Vietnam at the price of 14-16% of the import value.
Outside the quota, the import tax rate is 20%. Thus, importing Vietnamese shrimp into Korea will be charged tax rates of 14-20%. This is a big disadvantage, causing lower competitiveness of Vietnamese shrimp in this market.
Meanwhile, Peru and Korea also have FTA, according to that, the tax of 20% is reduced under the 5-year roadmap from August 2011. Now the tax rate for Peru shrimp has reached 0%, so its shrimp products exported to the Korean market do not have quotas and taxes.
Every year, South Korea imports over 100,000 tons of shrimp with a value of $800 million - $1 billion (ITC data). In which, Vietnamese shrimp always occupies the highest market share of over 50%. The volume of shrimp exported to South Korea by Vietnam has been more than 50,000 tons, which is 3-4 times higher than the quota amount (15,000 tons with 0% import tax).
From 2018-2022, shrimp exports from Peru to South Korea increased 10 times. Particularly in 2022, shrimp imports to South Korea from Peru recorded a strong growth of 176% compared to 2021.
In order to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese shrimp in the Korean market, VASEP has sent an Official Letter to the Minister of Industry and Trade, proposing the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review and proposed to the Korean side to consider abolishing shrimp import quotas from Vietnam and to adjust the tax rate to 0% for Vietnamese shrimp in VKFTA.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn