With this result, in the first 6 months of 2024, Vietnam tuna exports to South Korea reached more than 14 million USD, an increase of 144% over the same period. South Korea became one of the largest 10 single tuna markets of Vietnam.
According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, in the first six months of this year, 15 Vietnam enterprises were participating in exporting tuna to this market. Leading ones are NHA TRANG BAY, YUEH CHYANG CANNED FOOD, and TRINITY VIETNAM, which account for 86% of total export turnover in the first half of 2024.
With a population of over 51 million people, South Korea is currently a potential market for Vietnamese tuna exporters, with a high growth trend since last year.
The Vietnam-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) took effect in December 2015, creating a foundation to promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries to develop more strongly and effectively. The two countries are participating in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and South Korea is considering joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Vietnam is a member.
Currently, South Korea mainly imports processed and canned tuna from Vietnam, accounting for 99% of total export turnover, of which, South Korea mainly imports frozen steamed skipjack tuna loin/meat.
The change in seafood consumption trends in Korea following the trend of reduced consumer spending is an opportunity for Vietnamese seafood to boost exports of seafood products at suitable prices.
Like Japan, exports to Korea have the advantage of a close geographical location, stable consumption demand, and are the destination of many businesses in the coming time in the context of inflation, which is causing a sharp decrease in consumption in Western markets.
While the Red Sea tension has caused shipping rates to the US and Europe to skyrocket, closer markets, such as Korea, are also of interest to many businesses.
Notably, while Korea has reduced tuna imports from other countries, it has increased imports from Vietnam.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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