EU grants US seafood harvest certificate extension as Vietnam seeks new export markets

The European Union has postponed the deadline for accepting the Legal Harvest‑US Certificate for wild-caught seafood until 30 November 2026. The move gives U.S. exporters, particularly those sourcing from Alaska, additional time to comply with the EU's new electronic CATCH system, which requires detailed traceability data for all imported seafood.

At the same time, Vietnam is pursuing a broader diversification of its export destinations under Party Resolution 06. Vietnamese authorities and industry leaders are targeting markets in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to reduce reliance on traditional partners and to sustain the country's large seafood production capacity. The push includes strengthening economic diplomacy and improving market information to help Vietnamese firms meet evolving certification and traceability standards.

Both developments reflect growing emphasis on digital certification and supply‑chain transparency in the global seafood trade.