In the past 10 years (2007-2016), the import volume of shrimp into the country ranged from 76.7 thousand MT in 2007 to 83 thousand MT in 2016, up 8%. In the last 4 years (2013-2016), the demand for shrimp in South Korean was stable due to the decrease in domestic fish production and a tendency towards a healthy diet.
According to the World Trade Center (ITC), in the first 7 months of 2017, shrimp imports into the country reached US$307.3; up 13% year on year. Among the largest shrimp suppliers to South Korea, imports from Vietnam, Thailand and Ecuador increased by 15.8%; 26.8%; 33.9% respectively, while imports from China decreased 37.4% over the same period in 2016.
South Korea stayed as the fifth largest importer of Vietnam shrimp behind the EU, Japan, China and the U.S; accounting for 9.7% of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to markets. It was also the third largest buyer of Vietnam whiteleg shrimp in 2016.
In the past 10 years (2007-2016), Vietnam’s shrimp exports to South Korea showed the continuous positive growth. In 2015, exports to the market decreased due to a sharp increase in 2014 with an increase in the global shrimp prices and the dollar. In the first 9 months of 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market kept a good growth rate. As of 15th Sep 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp export to South Korea hit US$243.2 million; up 29.8% over the same period in 2016.
With the stable demand and high export prices and tax incentives under The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Korea (VKFTA); Korea expected to be a potential importing market of Vietnam in the coming time while exports to the main traditional markets face difficulties.
From 2007 to 2016, exports of whiteleg shrimp to South Korea remained to take the largest share in Vietnam’s shrimp sales to the market, from 42% in 2009 to over 80% in 2016. With the strong demand over the years, in 2016, South Korea held as Vietnam's third largest whiteleg shrimp importer. Of that, the country prefers fresh/live/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03). From 2009 to 2016, shipments of live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) to Korea were 1.4 - 2.2 times higher than those of processed items (HS code 16). In the coming time, the import demand for whiteleg shrimp in South Korea expected to continue the rise.
Sales of black tiger shrimp took the second proportion in total shipments to the market, but decreased from 23.5% in 2009 to 10.5% in 2016. In the period of 2010-2012, the proportion of black tiger shrimp accounted for 50-60% in total shrimp exports. However, in the period of 2013-2016, it decreased to 29-30% due to a drop in Vietnam’s export volume of this item.
Although Vietnam’s exports of black tiger shrimp to South Korea were low, the export turnover to the market in the last two years (2015-2016) tended to increase.
In South Korea, Vietnam shrimp has to compete with the same item from China and India. However, Vietnam enjoyed the lowest import duty (10%) compared to other competitors such as China (20%), India (12.5%), Ecuador (20%) and Thailand (10%).
After a year implementing the VKFTA, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the market recorded many positive changes.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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