This shows enterprises have timely grasped and applied the incentives of the agreement, although initially implementing the confusion of procedures such as HS code declaration, declaration form of EUR1 certificate of origin, and other regulations ...
The most positive and obvious changes are shrimp and squid and octopus, of which shrimp went up by nearly 16% over the same period in 2019, up nearly 9% compared to July 2020; squid and octopus increased 10% over the same period in 2019 and nearly 24% compared to July 2020.
Pangasius exports recovered 4% compared to July but still decreased by nearly 24% compared to the same period in 2019. Tuna exports after increasing by 65% in July, exports in August decreased by 17% compared to the same period in 2019 and declined by 28% compared to July 2020. The export of other seafood products is similar to the trend of tuna: down 25% over the same period and down 14% compared to July 2020.
Exports to EU in the first 8 months of 2020
Total exports reached over US$ 600 million, down by over 13% over the same period in 2019. In which, shrimp still plunged by 2% over the same period in 2019, pangasius dipped by 34%, tuna, octopus, and other seafood declined by 9%, 37%, and 14% respectively.
Shrimp accounted for 52% of seafood exports to the EU, with the growth rate after EVFTA, is expected to account for a higher share in the coming months. Pangasius accounted for 15%, tuna accounted for 14% - These 2 products have no prospect of recovery in the last months of the year. Cephalopod represents 5%, and other seafood made up for 14%. It is forecasted that squid and octopus will increase by 10-15% in the last months of the year and the growth rate depends on raw materials exploited in the country.
The EVFTA Agreement took effect from 1 August 2020, 220 seafood products have a base tax rate of 0-22%, of which the high tax rate of 6-22% will be 0% from August 1. In particular, some processed products with a high basic tax rate (20%) will be immediately reduced to 0% such as oysters, scallops, squid, octopus, clams, oysters, processed abalone ...
For canned tuna and fish balls, the EU is destined for Vietnam the tariff quotas of 11,500 MT and 500 MT, respectively. Besides, most frozen squid and octopus products have a basic tax rate of 6-8%, will be reduced to 0%, other products such as surimi will be reduced from 14.2% to 0%, swordfish reduced from 7.5% to 0%.
Frozen black tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp products (HS code 03061792) are reduced from the current rate of 4.2% (GSP tax) to 0% from 1 August 2020. Other shrimp products according to the 3-5 year roadmap, for processed shrimp, the tax will be reduced from 7% (GSP) to 0% after 7 years.
For frozen pangasius, the tax reduction schedule is from 5.5% to 0% after 3 years, only for smoked fish has a road map of 7 years.
Frozen tuna products get tax reduction to 0% immediately, except for frozen tuna loin, which takes 7 years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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