The UK's live seafood, including crab and lobster, will now be able to head to Vietnam, the biggest seafood consumer in Southeast Asia. (Source: Getty Images)

The agreement is expected to generate over 20 million GBP (26 million USD) in revenue for the UK seafood sector over the next five years.

Vietnam, with the highest consumers of seafood per capita in Southeast Asia, at 37kg per year, presents a promising market for high-quality British seafood. Coastal communities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales stand to benefit from the new export opportunities.

British seafood exports to Vietnam saw a 40% surge in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the previous year.

Vietnamese consumers will now have access to high-quality fresh seafood from the UK, including lobster and brown crab.

Minister for food and rural affairs Daniel Zeichner said: “Our high-quality seafood is increasingly sought after worldwide, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to get British exports moving by helping producers reach valuable international markets.”

Meanwhile, David Jarrad, CEO of Shellfish Association of Great Britain, said Vietnamese importers are willing to pay competitive prices for British seafood varieties.