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) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(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.
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