The United Kingdom has become one of the most promising and important destinations for Vietnam’s seafood exports, especially shrimp.
With a population of over 67 million and a steadily rising appetite for seafood, the UK maintains a strong demand for imported shrimp to meet domestic consumption.
Positive Export Performance
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According to Vietnam Customs, in January 2025, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the UK reached USD 16 million, up 8 percent from the same period in 2024.
Throughout 2024, total shrimp exports to the UK hit USD 146 million, accounting for 5.5 percent of Vietnam’s overall shrimp export value.
Key Exported Shrimp Products
Vietnam mainly ships the following products to the UK market:
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Frozen peeled and deveined white-leg shrimp
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Frozen PD (peeled and deveined) white-leg shrimp
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Cooked and blanched frozen white-leg shrimp
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Fresh or frozen whole white-leg shrimp
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Breaded and tempura white-leg shrimp
These product lines meet diverse consumer demands and offer high convenience for the retail and foodservice sectors in the UK.
Advantages from CPTPP and UKVFTA
Vietnam currently participates in two major next-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United Kingdom — the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).
The combined benefits of both agreements provide favorable tariff preferences and create broader opportunities for trade and investment between the two nations.
Thanks to preferential tariffs under these FTAs, Vietnamese shrimp enjoys stronger competitiveness than products from major rivals such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Brazil.
However, to benefit from these incentives, Vietnamese seafood exporters must prove product origin and comply with strict sustainability and social responsibility standards.
High Standards of the UK Market
UK consumers prefer products certified by trusted UK and EU authorities that guarantee quality, sustainability, traceability, and environmental friendliness.
Therefore, to expand market share for shrimp and other seafood products, Vietnamese exporters must focus on:
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Enhancing product quality, design, and packaging
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Developing products aligned with British consumer tastes
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Strengthening production capacity and quality management systems
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Thoroughly researching the market’s technical regulations and standards
Conclusion
The UK’s entry into the CPTPP has opened a new chapter of opportunities for Vietnam’s shrimp sector.
By leveraging tariff advantages and ensuring compliance with sustainability and quality requirements, Vietnamese enterprises can firmly establish their presence in the UK seafood market and boost the global reputation of Vietnamese shrimp.