Over the past 8 years, the export value of pangasius to the Korean market has remained at average growth. Currently, South Korea is the 51st largest pangasius importer out of nearly 120 importers of Vietnam.
In May 2015, Vietnam and South Korea officially signed VKFTA. This agreement took effect from December 20, 2015. With the agreed content, many experts believe that this Agreement will bring positive impacts to Vietnamese seafood exporters, especially for shrimp and cephalopod exporters. But in fact, the export of Vietnam's seafood products to the Korean market has not grasped and taken advantage of preferential tariffs from this FTA.
With pangasius and basa fish products, which have not been known by many Korean consumers and importers, there are still no effects of VKFTA to help pangasius export to this market grow more. So far, Korean customers remain loyal to seafood and shrimp products.
Koreans consume a diverse of products: anchovies, shrimp, squid, tuna, Alaska Pollack, mackerel, yellow corvina, Pacific saury, flatfish, monk fish, eels, rock fish and cod fish ... The fisheries industry of Korea is trying to change consumers' perceptions of seafood products (healthier than red meat). This will be the key to expanding domestic demand in the future. Currently, the import rate of white fish products begin to increase in the country's seafood import structure.
The import rate of Korean pangasius products accounts for only 0.1 to 0.45% of this country's total import value. Meanwhile, the import value of Alaska pollack accounts for 59-62% of the total value of white fish. Russia and the US are the two largest suppliers of white fish products for the Korean market, accounting for 75% and 20% of the total import value respectively. Vietnam is the third largest supplier with the strength of frozen fillet pangasius and basa products. Alaska pollack and cod fish are two popular products in the Korean market. These are products that attract consumer tastes of Korea.
As analyzed above, the perception of Korean consumers is gradually changing, customers are also beginning to look for seafood products that replace red meat products with many health benefits. Therefore, it is forecasted that there will be room for white fish products in the future, including Vietnamese pangasius and basa fish. The average import tariff rate of Korea applied to fresh and chilled pangasius and basa fish (HS 030432) is 11.9% and frozen pangasius is 7.9.%. Currently, the average import prices of pangasius products of Korea range from US$4.4 to US$4.95 / kg (according to ITC's calculations). Pangasius exports to this market might increase in the time to come. However, at present, Korea is still "vague" with Vietnamese pangasius and basa fish products.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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