Domestic raw material satisfies 60 – 65 percent of production capacity of processing plants. Over recent years, local companies have to import raw material from other countries to ensure production and exports in order to keep jobs for thousands of workers and raise competitiveness.
Between 2009 and 2012, imports of seafood into Vietnam doubled to reach US$700 million while the Ministry of Finances proposed to increase fish import tax. This would cause many obstacles for seafood companies in the context of tough competition in the global market.
Over the past of 2 years, Vietnamese exports of marine fish products keep decreasing mainly due to lack of raw material. Cephalopod products saw a drop of 3.5 – 10.8 percent in sales abroad in the 3 straight years. In Q.I/2014, tuna got the deepest year-on-year fall of 25.6 percent among marine products.
Some years ago, Vietnamese Prime Minister approved the strategy on development of fishery industry and the planning on development of seafood processing in Vietnam by 2020. Accordingly, seafood processing is considered as the drive for other branches including fisheries, aquaculture and logistic services. The objective is to build up a modern, consistent and sustainable processing chain from pond to table along with high competitiveness in the global market by 2020.
Vietnamese seafood exports are expected to reach US$8 billion by 2015 and US$10 billion by 2020. To reach this target, Vietnam needs to import 600,000 MT of raw fish (equal to US$1.3 – 1.5 billion) by 2015 and 1 million MT (equal to US$2 – 2.5 billion) by 2020.
So far, Vietnamese seafood companies have still been grappling with many challenges, as they are facing stricter technical and trade barriers set by importing markets and strong competition from other supplying countries. These challenges become tougher due to high tax and complicated procedures to import raw fish for processing to export and fulfilling supply contracts with foreign companies. Tax on seafood imported into Vietnam is higher than that imposed in other countries in Asia, which leads to weaken their competitiveness against other exporting countries like Thailand and China. The countries facilitate seafood imports in order to protect domestic fish stocks.
Currently, Ministry of Finances reduces taxes to zero for some fish species imported into Vietnam for processing to export. However, taxes on imported main species including shrimp, tuna or cephalopods are still high. Tax on imported shrimp is at 10-15 percent, for tuna 12 – 24 percent and 10 – 17 percent for cephalopod.
On April 17, 2014, VASEP sent an Official Letter No. 75/2014/CV-VASEP to Minister of Finances, Hoang Anh Tuan, to propose a meeting between leaders of Ministry of Finances and representatives of seafood companies to discuss Association's 4 recommendations on customs and import tax procedures.
VASEP is asking Ministry of Finances to consider reduction of tax to zero percent for some key fish species in short supply.
Previously, VASEP's recommendation on import tax reduction was accepted by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) through MARD's Official Letter No. 3552/BNN-CB of November 16, 2011.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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