Vietnam’s seafood industry has joined hands with U.S. partners to strengthen a sustainable supply chain, as new tariffs and environmental regulations threaten to erode its competitiveness in one of its key export markets.
The Vietnam Fisheries Society (Vinafish) on Monday signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), witnessed by officials from the Directorate of Fisheries, the Fisheries Surveillance Agency, and industry representatives.
Vinafish chairman Nguyen Viet Thang said the move comes after Washington imposed retaliatory tariffs of 10-41% on major trading partners since Aug. 7, with Vietnamese seafood facing a 20% levy, higher than Ecuador (15%), Indonesia and the Philippines (19%), and Thailand (19%).
He added that non-tariff measures such as anti-dumping duties, countervailing tariffs, and technical requirements under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) have further strained Vietnam’s seafood exports to the U.S.
USSEC aquaculture nutrition specialist Dominique P. Bureau said soybeans account for a large portion of aquafeed ingredients, and U.S. soy exports to Vietnam help offset trade imbalances. “Soy-based feed ingredients also offer a lower carbon footprint, which supports Vietnam’s compliance with international sustainability standards,” Bureau said.
According to USSEC, soybean meal from the U.S. emits about 653 kg of CO₂ per ton of feed, far below levels from Brazilian or Argentine sources, making it an increasingly preferred input for producers seeking certification under ASC, BAP, and GlobalGAP programs.
Under the new partnership, Vinafish and USSEC will promote sustainable aquaculture through technical training, research cooperation, and wider adoption of U.S. soy in aquafeed to cut costs and reduce environmental impacts.
The two sides plan to co-host an International Aquaculture Nutrition Conference at VinaFIS Expo 2026, featuring experts from USSEC’s global network to share cost-effective solutions for Vietnamese farmers.
The agreement marks a step toward a greener, more transparent seafood-soy value chain, which both sides hope will strengthen Vietnam’s position in the global seafood market.
VFM
