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) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
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