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) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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