South Korea and Vietnam have finalized a long-standing sanitary and phytosanitary agreement that clears the way for immediate export of South Korean processed poultry products to Vietnam, marking a significant expansion of K-food presence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
The breakthrough came on the sidelines of the Korea-Vietnam summit held on April 22, 2026, where officials from South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety confirmed that negotiations over export certification for heat-treated poultry products had been successfully concluded. South Korean manufacturers can now initiate shipping items such as ham, sausage, samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and chicken nuggets to Vietnamese distributors without further regulatory delays.
Vietnam’s meat market, valued at $11 billion in 2024, has been growing at an average annual rate of 9.6% since 2020, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and increasing demand for convenient, safe food options. With a population exceeding 100 million, Vietnam represents one of the largest and most dynamic consumer bases in ASEAN, making it a strategic target for South Korean food exporters seeking to diversify beyond traditional markets.
The agreement follows years of technical discussions that began in 2017, during which South Korean authorities worked to align their food safety standards with Vietnam’s import requirements. The process included facility inspections, documentation reviews, and bilateral consultations aimed at ensuring that exported products meet Vietnamese hygiene and safety benchmarks.
Two South Korean processing facilities — operated by Harim and CJ CheilJedang — have already received preliminary approval from Vietnamese authorities and are prepared to begin shipments immediately. These plants underwent rigorous evaluation under Vietnam’s import protocol for processed poultry, which includes verification of slaughter practices, processing conditions, cold chain management, and labeling compliance.
South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Song Mi-ryeong, played a key role in advancing the talks, meeting with Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Trần Việt Hùng, on April 21, 2026, to finalize outstanding procedural details. During that meeting, the two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on animal health and quarantine cooperation, which is expected to support future negotiations on additional products such as Korean beef and processed pork.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized that its participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Scheme on Food Standards (AFRAS) has helped strengthen Vietnam’s confidence in South Korea’s regulatory framework, particularly through the promotion of HACCP-based food safety systems. Officials noted that consistent application of internationally recognized safety protocols has been instrumental in building trust with Vietnamese importers and regulators.
Industry analysts view the agreement as a catalyst for broader agricultural and food trade collaboration between the two countries. Beyond processed poultry, stakeholders anticipate renewed momentum in discussions surrounding other high-value agricultural exports, including fruits, vegetables, and functional food ingredients, particularly as Vietnamese consumers show growing interest in premium, health-oriented food products.
While the immediate focus remains on scaling up poultry exports, both governments have signaled intent to expand the list of approved facilities and product categories over time. Officials from both ministries stated that ongoing technical working groups will continue to meet regularly to address emerging issues, monitor trade flows, and explore opportunities for harmonizing standards in areas such as additive use, packaging materials, and nutritional labeling.
For South Korean food producers, the Vietnam market offers not only volume potential but also strategic value as a gateway to other Southeast Asian nations. Success in Vietnam could serve as a reference point for seeking similar access in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where demand for safe, high-quality imported food is also rising.
As of now, no further public announcements have been made regarding upcoming bilateral meetings or formal timelines for expanding the agreement. Interested parties are advised to monitor official updates from South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for any developments related to inspection protocols, facility approvals, or expansion of the product list.
This agreement underscores the growing importance of food safety diplomacy in international trade, where technical alignment on health standards can unlock significant commercial opportunities. For consumers in Vietnam, it means greater access to South Korean food products backed by stringent safety controls. for South Korean exporters, it represents a validated step toward long-term market diversification in Asia.
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