South Korea is currently the world's second largest producer of offshore tuna fishing. South Korean fishing vessels operate mainly in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The total output of purse seine fishing vessels of this country reached 278,227 tons, of which about 20% of the output, from 120-130 thousand tons, landed for domestic consumption, 80% of fishing output, about 160 thousand tons exported to other countries, especially Thailand, to produce and process canned tuna. Therefore, the Korean tuna industry satisfies the demand for live/fresh tuna of this country.
Besides, Korea consumes less canned tuna than other Asian countries. The average consumption of canned tuna of Korea is only 1kg/person/year (5 boxes), equivalent to 260 million cans of tuna per year, correspond to US$370 million. Because of these reasons, Korea is not an attractive tuna market for tuna exporting countries.
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, South Korea is not a big tuna importer of Vietnam, accounting for only 0.3% of Vietnam's total tuna exports. Export of tuna from Vietnam to Korea started from a very low level, at US$88 thousand in 2007. However, after 6 years, tuna exports to this market rose suddenly 8.370%, reaching over US$7.4 million (in 2012 ). In 2012, due to the decrease in the supply of tuna in the world market and the fishing ban in the WCPO area, South Korea increased the import of tuna from other countries, including Vietnam. However, export of tuna from Vietnam to this market decreased, although VKFTA took effect. Export value of Vietnamese tuna to Korea is only under US$2 million.
Vietnam is currently exporting mainly canned processed tuna to Korea, especially canned tuna, accounting for over 80% of the total export value. Vietnam 's fresh and frozen tuna has accessed this market. However, exports these products tends to decrease.
According to VKFTA, some Vietnamese tuna products exported to Korea are committed to reducing tariffs according to the roadmap. Specifically, the import tax imposed on frozen yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna reduced to 0-5% by January 1, 2016 at the latest. The chilled bigeye tuna maintain the 20% base tax rate before January 1, 2016 and will reduce at least 20% of MNF tax rate applied under the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
Chilled yellowfin tuna gradually was eliminated tariff rate in 3 years from the base rate of 20% and to 0% from 01/01/2018. Particularly, tariff rate applied for canned processed tuna, Vietnam's main export item to Korea, remained at the base tax rate of 20%.
Korea currently imports tuna from over 39 countries around the world. Some leading exporters are China, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Vanuatu, Ghana and Kiribati. Vietnam are the 12 largest tuna supplier for the Korean market. In terms of tariffs, Vietnam has signed an FTA with Korea. However, Vietnamese products still have no advantage over those countries. Vietnamese enterprises can boost export of tuna to this market thanks to geographical advantages. However, Korea is a very strict country in quality product along with the commitment to sustainable development of the tuna industry, this country is increasingly concerned about tuna origin. Therefore, exporters need to pay attention to sources of tuna material and product quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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