Due to the complementary nature of the Vietnamese and Israeli economies with limited direct competition, VIFTA is expected to expand the export landscape for Vietnam’s key products, particularly seafood.
Under the commitments of VIFTA, Israel will liberalize up to 92.7% of total tariff lines, while Vietnam’s level stands at 85.8%. As a result, most Vietnamese agricultural and seafood products will benefit from preferential tariffs. In the seafood segment, tuna currently stands as Vietnam’s leading export product to Israel, accounting for around 7% of the country’s total tuna import value in recent years. Beyond tuna, products such as shrimp, pangasius, squid and octopus are also considered to have high potential in the Middle Eastern market.
In terms of competitiveness, Vietnamese seafood benefits from a stable supply, large-scale aquaculture and capture fisheries, modern processing capacity and the ability to comply with Middle Eastern market standards, including Halal, Kosher and specific importer requirements. Vietnamese enterprises demonstrate high flexible in processing and packaging, enabling higher value addition and better alignment with multiple retail segments. Evidence of this potential is seen in Vietnam's seafood export turnover to the Middle East, which surged from $198 million in 2020 to $366 million in 2024, underscoring the strong expansion potential of this market.
However, to fully capitalize on the VIFTA, businesses must pay close attention to rules of origin. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam has issued Circular No. 11/2024/TT-BCT, detailing origin criteria, including wholly obtained goods, goods produced from originating materials or goods that have undergone sufficient processing or manufacturing in line with specific rules (RVC, CTC, or defined production processes).
Beyond tariff preferences, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is ramping up trade promotion programs, supply chain connectivity and investment facilitation programs, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese seafood enterprises to access Israel’s advanced deep-processing technologies, thereby enhancing both export quality and value. Enterprises are advised to proactively conduct in-depth research into VIFTA regulations, establish transparent production processes, ensure full traceability and comply with quality and technical standards. At the same time, they should actively leverage support from Vietnam’s overseas trade offices to mitigate risks and pursue sustainable development in the Israeli market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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