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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached approximately $148 million, up 12% compared to the same period in 2025. In September 2026 alone, export turnover to this market hit $18 million, a 27% year-on-year increase. Despite diverging demand across member states, the EU remains a market with growth potential for Vietnamese pangasius, particularly as supplies of several traditional whitefish species face mounting pressure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US are showing a clear recovery after a difficult start to the year. However, the rebound is taking place against a backdrop of declining US tuna imports and a shifting supply structure, posing new challenges for Vietnamese businesses.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached US$440.9 million, up 6.4% year on year. This result is noteworthy as Japan’s total shrimp imports continued to decline slightly and competition among suppliers intensified. Demand for convenience foods and processed products continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese exporters, but capitalizing on these opportunities requires stronger competitiveness and the ability to meet increasingly specific market requirements.
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
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