In particular, free trade agreements with Russia and Europe will help Vietnam exports with reduced tax.
Currently, Vietnam is negotiating with the EU in the framework of FTA known as EVFTA. Reportedly, the most recent, the 11th negotiation round took place in Brussels, Belgium in from 19th to 23rd January 2015. Significant progress has been made in this session. Tax on pangasius as well as other seafood was agreed to be strongly cut. The European countries are demanding markets with tariff barriers and strict regulations of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) on imported seafood. Enterprises, therefore, expect much from this FTA to boast pangasius exports to these markets.
It is expected that the negotiation will finish this year. Currently, average tariff on frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) is 6.88%, and tariff on frozen pangasius fillets is 5.5%. In 2014, Vietnam pangasius exports to the EU valued at US$ 344.29 million, down nearly 11% compared to 2013. The EU now accounts for 19.5% of total Vietnam pangasius export turnover. Despite declines in recent years, Vietnam, holding over 95% of the market share, maintained its position as the leading pangasius and catfish provider and in top 12 frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) to the EU in 2014.
With EVFTA, tariff and non-tariff barriers will be lifted, giving processors from Vietnam more opportunities to expand markets, import materials from the third for processing and re-exporting to the EU.
Beside exempting most taxes (90% of all taxes) in 7 years, EVFTA will support Vietnamese businesses with investments and technical transfer to sustainably access the EU market and attract foreign more investments into Vietnam. According to experts, as tax rates stay lower than 3% or 4%, Vietnam will get more benefits against other competitors. Currently, frozen fish fillets from Vietnam exported to the EU are levied at 5.5%, which will decrease after EVFTA takes effect.
Negotiation for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Customs Union, including 3 countries namely Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, is also expected to end negotiation rounds this year. At least 80% of goods from Vietnam exported to Russia, including fisheries products will be tax-exempted. Currently Russia is imposing tax of 5.63% on frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam. In 2014, Vietnam pangasius exports to Russia valued US$ 33.24 million, down from 2013. Russia accounts for 1.88% of the of total pangasius export turnover of Vietnam. Meanwhile, exports to Belarus and Kazakhstan both increased from 2013, valued at US$ 2.09 million and US$ 3.14 million, respectively. The proportion of exports to these markets was not high. The former accounted for 0.12% and the latter made up 0.18%.
In brief, Vietnam seafood exports will benefit from the FTAs, at least for the European market and Customs Union as taxes are lower while China, Thailand, Norway are still subject to high tariffs.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
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