In November 2015, Vietnam and the EU formally concluded the negotiation of the EVFTA Agreement. The text has now been published and the legal review of the Agreement is ongoing. The agreement is expected to take effect in early 2018.
As committed, after the agreement comes into force, Vietnamese goods, including shrimp products, will enjoy special preferential tariffs.
The EU mainly imports frozen raw shrimp and processed shrimp from Vietnam. According to the commitments, as soon as EVFTA comes into effect, the tax of raw shrimp HS code 03061100 (chilled green lobster, HOSO black tiger shrimp, frozen DP shrimp, fresh/frozen PD shrimp, frozen whole shrimp, etc.) exporting to the EU will be subject to the tax of 0% from the current level of 12.5%, the tax of shrimp HS code 03061710 (frozen PD black tiger shrimp, frozen HOSO whole black tiger shrimp, frozen shrimp headed and shell-on, frozen/fresh black tiger shrimp, frozen black tiger shrimp meat, frozen/fresh HLSO black tiger shrimp, frozen/fresh IQF black tiger shrimp, frozen whiteleg shrimp meat, etc.) will enjoy the tax of 0% from the current level of 20%.
Exports of processed shrimp and shrimp products HS code 16052110 (pasteurized shrimp) will be subject to the tax of 0% from the current level of 20% after 7 years from the date of the agreement coming into force; shrimps HS code 16052190 (other shrimps) will also enjoy the tax of 0% from the level of 20% after 7 years from the date of the agreement coming into force.
The EU accounts for about 30.6% of total shrimp import value of the world. EU shrimp imports range from US$6-8 billion per year. In the last 10 years (2007-2016), shrimp imports into the EU increased from US$5.6 billion to US$6.7 billion in 2016.
According to International Trade Center (ITC) data, in the first 10 months of 2017, shrimp imports into the bloc reached over US$5 billion; down 7.6% over the same period in 2016. The UK and France were the two largest buyers of shrimp in the EU. The UK shrimp imports totaled US$700.2 million, down 0.6%; those into France hit US$776.3 million, up 2.6% over the same period in 2016.
According to the data of Vietnam Customs, in November 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU market showed the highest growth among the major importing markets of Vietnam shrimp with a 71% increase to eye US$86.4 million.
The Netherlands, the UK and Germany were the three largest single importers of Vietnam shrimp in the EU. Exports to these three markets grew strongly, in which sales to the Netherlands and the UK rising by 93% and 87% respectively; exports to Germany recorded the 3-digit growth of 114%.
In the first 11 months of 2017, the EU was the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp, accounting for 22.2% of the total value of Vietnam shrimp exports to markets. In this period, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to EU reached US$780.2 million; increasing by 42.4% over the same period of 2016.
EU is a notable importing market of Vietnam shrimp in the first 11 months of 2017 with the high growth and high demand. The value of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU currently reported the positive growth as EU consumers prefer value-added seafood products and increased imports to meet the demand of year-end festivals.
On the EU market, Vietnam has to compete mainly with India and Ecuador. While India tends to reduce shrimp exports to the EU as it is subject to a 50% border check, Ecuador and Vietnam are increasingly boosting exports to this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn