In October 2018, the European Council (EC) officially approved EVFTA. The agreement was signed in Hanoi on 30 June 2019.
After being effective, EVFTA will be considered as an opportunity for Vietnamese seafood enterprises to increase export value to this market. According to commitments in EVFTA, Vietnamese seafood exported to the EU will be completely eliminated tariff (except canned tuna and fish balls applying tariff quota of 11,500 tons) with the longest schedule of 7 years. Particularly, shrimp products will be more optimistic as import tax on this market will drop sharply from the first year, then gradually decrease to 0% in the following years.
The EU mainly imports frozen raw shrimp and processed shrimp from Vietnam. For frozen shrimp and prawn products, tax is reduced from the base rate of 20% to 0% as soon as the agreement comes into effect. Other shrimp products will reduce following a 3-5 year schedule, particularly processed shrimp will follow a 7-year tax reduction schedule.
Currently, the GSP tax rate that EU sets to Vietnam for frozen raw shrimp (HS 030617) of 4.2%; Frozen processed shrimp (HS 160521) enjoyed 7%. Vietnam has an advantage over the two rival countries, Thailand and China as these two countries do not enjoy GSP from the EU.
In addition to tax incentives, EVFTA also gives Vietnamese enterprises an opportunity to increase their competitiveness compared to competitors without FTA with the EU (such as India and Thailand). Enterprises can save production costs to increase competition as it is easier to access production services when Vietnam is committed to opening logistics, insurance, finance services ...
Enterprises also have conditions to participate in regional supply chains thanks to the investment movement of multinational corporations, ensuring a stable and transparent institutional and business environment (thanks to improving regulations and policies according to FTA terms).
However, there will be new challenges for Vietnam's fisheries sector when participating in EVFTA such as: conditions on technical barriers, quality standards, rules of origin, and more new and complex regulations, while Vietnam's products are less competitive in price compared to FTA partner countries...
Enterprises need to strengthen cooperation, focus on linkage chain to improve productivity, technological innovation, participate in global supply chains.
In the first 5 months of 2019, Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU reached 243.4 million, down 26.3% compared to the same period of 2018. The UK, Germany and the Netherlands are the 3 main importors for Vietnamese shrimp in the EU market. Shrimp exports to the UK in May have shown positive signs: an increase of 11.6% to over US$18 million.
With preferential tariffs and a favourable business environment, Vietnamese exporters will have an advantage over many other shrimp exporter such as India and Thailand. It is forecasted that EVFTA will contribute to increase the export of Vietnamese shrimp to the EU in 2019.
(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
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