British seafood is known globally for its taste, quality, and rich heritage, and Vietnamese consumers will now have access to premium seafood products in their preferred live form sourced from the UK’s vibrant and vast coastline, including popular varieties such as lobster and brown crab.
These additions will enrich culinary options for Vietnamese consumers, who eat approximately 37kg of seafood per person each year, allowing them to experience the distinctive flavours and exceptional quality that have made British seafood renowned worldwide.
British seafood exports to Vietnam have already shown strong growth, with fresh, frozen, and processed products seeing a 40 per cent increase in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023.
In line with the government’s priority of delivering economic growth and putting more money into working people’s pockets, this breakthrough creates new export opportunities that coastal communities across the length and breadth of the UK have pushed for in recent years. Unlocking the Vietnamese live seafood market will boost local economies and support jobs across Britain’s shorelines, contributing to nationwide economic growth.
Minister for Food and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said, "This is a tremendous win for our seafood industry. By securing access to Vietnam’s thriving live seafood market, we’re opening new opportunities for British businesses while supporting jobs across the UK. Our high-quality seafood is increasingly sought after worldwide, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to get British exports moving by helping producers reach valuable international markets."
Minister for Exports Gareth Thomas said, "This is a welcome and significant milestone, opening up a new and lucrative market to live seafood exporters across the UK. We know that when businesses export, the whole economy benefits. That is why this government will continue to support businesses by removing trade barriers and enable them to take advantage of export opportunities to grow the economy at home."
Access to the Vietnamese market is estimated to generate around £20 million ($25.8 million) for the UK seafood industry over the next five years, according to the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB).
David Jarrad, CEO of SAGB, said, "We have been delighted to engage with government officials in the UK and Vietnam and help achieve this export agreement. The opening of another market for our sector is great news for the industry and demonstrates the strong worldwide demand for the UK's quality live shellfish."
Vietnamese importers are willing to pay competitive prices for British seafood varieties that have less demand in the UK and European markets, providing an important alternative revenue stream for dozens of seafood traders.
Source: Vietnam Investment Review
(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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