The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will convene the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on November 11 under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”

Marking the first time VASEP organizes a conference under the summit model, the event will gather over 300 delegates and 25 speakers representing all segments of the seafood value chain, ranging from aquaculture and fishing to processing, exporting, logistics, technology, and finance.

VASEP estimates that seafood exports reached $10.46 billion in the first ten months of 2026, up 12.1 percent year-on-year. China, Hong Kong (China) and ASEAN contributed roughly two-thirds of the turnover growth, while exports to the United States declined by 1.2 percent.

Market divergence highlights the urgency for the industry to capitalize on expanding Asian purchasing power while consolidating its standing in traditional markets. Furthermore, geopolitical instability, tariffs, trade defense measures, and stringent traceability and sustainability mandates will continue to shape export activities in the coming years.

During the summit, across five discussion sessions, delegates will analyze key product lines, trade policy shifts, demand trends in major markets, domestic consumption potential, and value-chain competitiveness. 

Discussions will focus on market diversification, deep processing, raw material stabilization, and productivity enhancement. VASEP expects the summit to guide enterprise strategy and bolster value-chain synergy to lay a groundwork for double-digit export growth.

Ahead of the event, VASEP participated in the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE 2026) from November 4 to 6 at the BEXCO Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, South Korea. Seven Vietnamese seafood exporters, including CASES, Gallant Ocean, Gallant Dachan, Kien Cuong, Thanh Hao Seafood, Vietocean, and Thuan Phuoc, featured across 10 exhibition booths to showcase products and pursue South Korean market expansion.

On this occasion, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Secretary General of VASEP, attended a business match-making event organized by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan, connecting 15 Vietnamese seafood processing and exporting companies.

During the meeting, VASEP presented Vietnam's supply and processing capabilities while proposing four priority collaboration paths: developing value-added products and private labels; leveraging Vietnam-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement; improving logistics coordination; and expanding bilateral cooperation in raw materials, processing technology, quality management, and market research.

Notably, VASEP proposed the early removal of tariff quotas on Vietnamese shrimp under the VKFTA to facilitate smoother bilateral trade. 

According to VASEP, Vietnam’s seafood exports to South Korea totaled $864 million in 2025, up 7.2 percent. In the first nine months of 2026, export turnover to this market reached $649.1 million, up 5.6 percent year-on-year, led by shrimp at $262.5 million alongside squid and octopus at $234 million.

Through trade promotion efforts in South Korea and the upcoming Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026, VASEP aims to deepen business connectivity, broaden export markets, and elevate value-chain cooperation to unlock new growth momentum for the sector.

Source: VnEconomy

https://en.vneconomy.vn/vietnamese-seafood-exporters-target-double-digit-growth-for-2027-2029.htm