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) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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