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AltProtein VietnamVietnam supply-side scoping study
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Appendix D6

D6. Export markets and market access

The data behind chapter 17: Vietnam's export lines relevant to alternative protein with values and markets, including USD 128.2 million of stuffed pasta; demand for plant-based and alternative protein in destination markets from 2022 to 2025; European retailers' plant-protein targets and supplier requirements; mirror trade in wrapped foods, textured protein and feed yeast; the tariffs, label rules, novel-food rules and feed standards that decide what can be exported; and the rules of origin, verified for the EU, that set the recipe conditions on Vietnam's tariff edge.

31 min readWhat the tags mean
On this page
  1. D6.1 Vietnam's export base
  2. D6.2 Demand in destination markets
  3. D6.3 Market access: tariffs, labels, novel food and standards
  4. D6.4 European retailers: plant-protein targets and how they source
  5. D6.5 Wrapped foods and textured protein: mirror trade and products abroad
  6. D6.6 Rules of origin: the recipe conditions on the tariff edge
  7. D6.7 Feed: inactive yeast trade and ASC-certified mills

What this appendix contains. The data behind Export demand. Trade values are Vietnam-reported UN Comtrade data unless stated; 2023 is the latest year at six-digit level that Vietnam had reported when we queried it. For 2024 and 2025 we use mirror data (what partner countries report importing from Vietnam, or exporting to it), which differ from Vietnam-reported figures and may be revised. Tariff lines for the EU and the UK were read from the official tariff databases on 24 and 25 September 2026; Japanese lines were read from the customs schedule and should be confirmed line by line. Rules of origin were read from the EU and Viet Nam agreement's Protocol 1, the UK Trade Tariff and the RCEP Secretariat. Sections D6.4 to D6.7 come from the actor check (M4. Actor check and waves).

D6.1 Vietnam's export base

ProductHS codeYearValue, USDVolume, tMain marketsRelevance to alternative proteinSource
Agro-forestry-fishery exports, totalvarious202570,090,000,000Asia 45.2% of value; China about 64% of fruit and vegetablesContext: size of the export base that alternative protein would join1
Fisheries products (seafood), total03, 16 (various)202511,320,000,000China, US, Japan (11 months 2025: China 20.2%, US 17.6%, Japan 15%)Buyers of seafood set feed standards that could pull novel feed protein; processors have forming, coating and cold-chain skills1,2
Seafood, total (January to August)03, 16 (various)20268,000,000,000China and Hong Kong USD 2.03bn (+33.4%); US USD 1.24bn (flat); Japan USD 1.11bn (+2.0%); EU USD 749.9m (-1.6%); Korea USD 566.3m; ASEAN USD 544.9mShift of buyer mix towards China reduces the share of standards-driven buyers3
Frozen shrimp (warm-water)0306.1720231,878,090,000China 19.5%; US 15.5%; Japan 14.7%; Korea 10.7%; Australia 7.7%; UK 4.3%ASC and retailer feed requirements apply to farmed shrimp4
Prepared or preserved shrimp1605.292023935,570,00078,742US 33.3%; Japan 16.7%; UK 8.9%; Canada 7.2%; Korea 6.9%; Australia 6.8%Value-added processing capacity (breaded, cooked, formed) transferable to plant-based or hybrid lines4
Cashew, all forms0801.32; 2008.1920255,229,000,000766,585China USD 1.115bn (21.3%); US USD 975m (18.6%); Netherlands USD 495m (9.5%)Platform for cashew milk, cheese, cream and spread bases; cashew kernels already sold to Western nut-dairy makers5,2
Cashew kernels, shelled0801.3220232,916,830,000481,841US 22.6%; China 16.0%; Netherlands 12.0%; Turkey 3.9%; Germany 3.8%; UAE 3.4%; UK 3.2%Ingredient for plant-based dairy; EU MFN already 0% so no EVFTA edge on kernels4,6
Prepared nuts (incl. roasted cashew)2008.192023936,290,000137,266China 43.6%; US 24.3%; Korea 6.8%; Japan 3.7%; Canada 3.1%Nut processing platform; EVFTA removes 7 to 10.2% EU duty on prepared tropical nuts4,6
Fruit and vegetables07, 08 (various)20258,600,000,000China about 64% (11 months 2025: China 64.1%, US 6.4%, Korea 3.7%)Coconut, jackfruit and mushrooms are inputs for plant-based products; mostly fresh exports to China1,2
Rice1006.3020234,060,730,0007,134,383Philippines 41.7%; Indonesia 15.4%; China 11.0%; Ghana 8.6%; Malaysia 5.0%; Cote d'Ivoire 5.0%Possible rice protein feedstock; we found no rice protein exports4
Rice flour1102.90202313,260,00013,296Philippines 34.5%; US 30.0%; Australia 11.1%; New Zealand 6.3%Minor; ingredient exports exist but small4
Cassava starch1108.1420231,063,360,0002,152,181China 93.5%; Taiwan 2.5%; Philippines 0.9%; Malaysia 0.7%Fermentation feedstock sold as starch; converting to protein at home would redirect an existing export4
Food preparations n.e.s.2106.902023378,730,00052,037China 31.2%; Philippines 20.3%; Thailand 15.3%; US 5.5%; Japan 3.8%; Korea 2.6%; Germany 2.3%Code under which many plant-based meat analogues and prepared chay foods are classified; cannot be separated. EU27 imports from Vietnam doubled to USD 66.7 million (37,278 t) in 2025, at USD 1.79 per kg; chay share unknown4,7
Protein concentrates and textured protein substances2106.102023520,00067Japan 35.0%; US 27.7%; Korea 25.5%; Taiwan 4.8%; Australia 2.3%Direct alternative protein ingredient export: negligible4
Peptones and other protein substances3504202313,010,0001,428Spain 28.7%; UK 21.8%; Korea 13.2%; Denmark 7.9%; Netherlands 6.0%; Japan 4.4%Existing B2B protein ingredient export, probably largely fish collagen peptides from pangasius by-products (inferred)4,8
Non-alcoholic beverages n.e.s. (incl. soy, nut and coconut drinks)2202.992023160,730,000109,663US 19.7%; Cambodia 18.2%; Philippines 15.7%; China 10.8%; Hong Kong 6.5%; Australia 2.6%Plant milk export platform; plant drinks cannot be separated from other beverages at HS64
Instant noodles (other pasta, prepared)1902.302023268,080,00090,831US 23.6%; Cambodia 19.5%; Germany 8.1%; Poland 7.2%; Korea 4.6%; Taiwan 4.5%; Canada 4.5%; Russia 3.9%Diaspora and Asian-grocer channel; vegetarian variants listed in US (EXP-37)4
Stuffed pasta (dumplings, wontons and similar)1902.202023128,200,00030,013US 22.7%; Australia 21.8%; UK 7.6%; Korea 7.1%; Canada 6.1%; Japan 5.8%; Netherlands 5.6%The existing export base for plant-protein wrapped foods (TPP-08 formats); about 250 times textured-protein exports; mostly meat or seafood fillings; vegetarian share not identifiable at six digits9
Bread, pastry and other bakers' wares n.e.s. (incl. rice paper)1905.902023302,310,00075,150US 13.4%; Japan 11.0%; Australia 9.7%; China 8.8%; Korea 8.3%; UK 6.7%Rice paper and snacks: wrapper formats for protein-upgraded chay rolls4
Sauces and condiments n.e.s. (incl. fish sauce, vegetarian sauces)2103.902023112,760,00032,583Japan 27.4%; US 14.4%; Philippines 8.4%; Taiwan 5.8%; Germany 5.6%; Cambodia 4.1%; Korea 4.1%Vegan fish sauce and vegetarian oyster sauce would sit here; not separable4
Desiccated coconut0801.11202338,020,00026,360Egypt 25.4%; China 12.6%; Thailand 10.3%; South Africa 7.5%; Algeria 4.4%; Saudi Arabia 3.4%; Turkey 3.3%Coconut-based dairy alternatives; shows existing trade with Muslim-majority markets4
Coconuts, fresh, not in inner shell0801.19202332,270,00028,745Thailand 38.6%; China 14.1%; UAE 7.4%; Netherlands 6.5%; Korea 5.6%Raw material for coconut drinks and dairy alternatives4
Mushrooms, dried (other than Agaricus, shiitake, wood ear)0712.392023810,00023US 87.5%; Japan 6.2%; Taiwan 4.3%Mushroom-based products: negligible export base4
Mushrooms, prepared or preserved2003.9020237,510,000US 86.4%; Japan 4.3%; Hong Kong 3.9%; Singapore 3.9%Mushroom-based products: small export base4
Glutamic acid and its salts (mainly MSG)2922.422023106,490,00062,875Japan 45.6%; US 19.9%; Cambodia 18.0%; Philippines 6.6%; Netherlands 2.4%Evidence of export-scale industrial fermentation (starch and molasses based) that a fermentation protein industry could build on4
L-lysine and its salts2922.4120231,270,000933Cambodia 83.6%; Laos 14.0%Feed amino acid fermentation: negligible export4
Active yeasts2102.10202313,330,0004,042Malaysia 32.0%; Indonesia 23.3%; Thailand 16.1%; Korea 7.1%; India 5.3%Yeast fermentation capacity; regional B2B buyers4
Inactive yeasts and dead single-cell micro-organisms2102.20202311,160,0002,204Japan 21.4%; US 18.9%; Singapore 13.1%; Finland 11.0%; Thailand 7.7%Closest HS code to single-cell protein; small existing exports to demanding markets. Partner-reported: 8,166 t exported at USD 1.39 per kg in 2025, and 9,193 t imported, mostly as feed-grade yeast (D6.7)4,10
Animal feed preparations2309.902023350,270,000196,323Malaysia 33.3%; Cambodia 16.7%; Philippines 9.1%; Taiwan 5.7%; Thailand 5.5%Feed export channel into which a domestic novel feed protein could flow4
Fishmeal (flours, meals and pellets of fish)2301.202023430,470,000226,644China 93.5%; Korea 1.5%; Thailand 1.5%; Japan 1.4%Vietnam is a net fishmeal exporter by value; export demand is price-driven Chinese demand4

D6.2 Demand in destination markets

MarketCategoryMetricValueUnitYearTrendData providerSource
GlobalPlant-based meat, seafood, milk, yoghurt, ice cream, cheeseRetail sales28.9USD billion2025Up 3% on 2024 (including inflation)Euromonitor via GFI11,12
GlobalPlant-based meat and seafoodRetail sales6.6USD billion2025Up 8% nominal, 4% real; volume up 3%Euromonitor via GFI11,12,13
EuropePlant-based meat and seafoodRetail sales3.6USD billion2025Growth driven by EuropeEuromonitor via GFI13
By regionAll plant-based categoriesRetail salesEurope 10.1; Asia-Pacific 9.2; North America 6.9USD billion2025n/aEuromonitor via GFI12
Asia-PacificDairy alternatives share of plant-based salesShare (derived)at least 88%2025n/aOur derivation12,13
United StatesAll plant-based foodsRetail dollar sales7.9USD billion2025Down 2% in value, 3% in units; down about 7% in value since 2023SPINS via GFI14
United StatesPlant-based meat and seafoodRetail dollar sales1.0USD billion2025Down 10% in value, 11% in units; down 17% value and 21% units since 2023SPINS via GFI14
United StatesPlant-based meatRetail dollar sales1.2USD billion2024Down 7% in value, 11% in unitsSPINS via GFI and PBFA15
United StatesPlant-based meatAverage items per store9.7itemsApril 2025Down 10.3% year on year and 31% since early 2021SPINS via press15
United StatesPlant-based milkRetail dollar sales2.7USD billion2025Down 2% in value, 5% in unitsSPINS via GFI14
United StatesSoy milk; coconut milk; chunks, shreds and stripsGrowth+4%; +27%; +8% units%2025GrowingSPINS via GFI (secondary)12
United States (foodservice)Plant-based proteinsGrowth-5%2024FallingCircana via press15
Six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK)All plant-based (up to six categories)Retail sales value4,748.7EUR million2025Up 3.3% from EUR 4,595.1m in 2024Circana via GFI Europe16
Six European countriesAll plant-basedRetail sales volume1,572.8million kg2025Up 4.8% from 1,500.4 million kg in 2024Circana via GFI Europe16
GermanyAll plant-basedRetail sales value1,709.7EUR million2025Up 3.1% in value, 6.2% in volumeCircana via GFI Europe16
GermanyPlant-based meatRetail sales value750.8EUR million2025Value +0.2%; volume -1.7%Circana via GFI Europe16
GermanyPlant-based seafoodRetail sales value14.1EUR million2025Value -22.0% (2024 to 2025) and -41.4% (2023 to 2025); volume -29.4%Circana via GFI Europe16
Germany and NetherlandsTofu, tempeh and seitanVolume growthalmost 30%2025GrowingCircana via GFI Europe16
United KingdomAll plant-based (excluding discounters)Retail sales value848 (EUR 993.4 million)GBP million2025Value -1.2% (in EUR); plant-based meat volume -9.4%Circana via GFI Europe16
FrancePlant-based meatVolume growth+16.8%2025Growing as prices fell 2.8%Circana via GFI Europe16
SpainPlant-based meatVolume growth-7.0%2025Falling; plant-based meat more than twice the price of animal meatCircana via GFI Europe16
NetherlandsPlant-based meat (branded vs private label)Volume growthbranded -15.8; private label -2%2025Private label resilientCircana via GFI Europe16
JapanPlant-based meat alternativesMarket size18 (2022); 29 forecast (2025)USD million2022; 2025Growing from small base; less than 0.5% of meat product marketIndustry sources via USDA FAS17
JapanPlant-derived protein ingredients (incl. isolated soy protein)Imports35,059 t; 149USD million2022Volume up 66% since 2010Trade Data Monitor via USDA FAS17
JapanPlant-based meat (Otsuka Foods Zero Meat)Products discontinued3products2025Hamburg ended January 2025, sausage June 2025, ham July 2025: a leading finished brand exitedCompany page18
JapanSoy protein ingredients (Fuji Oil, No. 1 in Japan)Capacitytextured soy plant added in Chiban/a2025Domestic incumbent expanding; no Vietnamese unitIntegrated report19
Singapore (global brand)Plant-based chicken (TiNDLE)Business modelprivate label only from 2026; US business divestedn/a2025 to 2026Products about 50% dearer than meat (CEO, July 2025)Trade press20,21
KoreaAlternative meatMarket size21.2 (USD 16.9 million)KRW billion2022Up 28.3%; forecast KRW 32.1bn in 2025Euromonitor via Food Journal22
KoreaAlternative meatMarket size25.2KRW billion2023Forecast KRW 29.5bn in 2025 (about +17%)aT via Maeil Ilbo23
ThailandAlternative protein (exports)Export value384THB millionJanuary 2025Described as growingThai Future Food Trade Association via The Nation24
ThailandFuture food (functional, medical, alternative protein, organic)Export value144THB billion2023Target THB 500bn by 2027NXPO via The Nation25
Southeast Asia (six countries incl. Vietnam)Plant-based meatShare wanting to try or eat more42%2023n/aGFI APAC consumer study, about 6,000 respondents26
China, Singapore, Australia, Gulf statesPlant-based meat and dairy alternativesRetail salesnot foundn/a2023 to 2026unknownn/a

D6.3 Market access: tariffs, labels, novel food and standards

MarketProduct typeHS codeRuleRequirementMFN tariffVietnam tariffCompetitor tariffLegal basisSource
EUTextured protein and protein concentrates (no milkfat, sugar, starch)2106 10 20 90TariffImport duty12.8%0% (since 1 Jan 2023)Thailand and China pay MFN 12.8% (no EU FTA)EVFTA (Decision D0753/20)6
EUFood preparations n.e.s. (typical plant-based meat analogues, prepared chay foods)2106 90 98TariffImport duty9% + agricultural component (EA)0% (since 1 Jan 2023)MFN for Thailand and ChinaEVFTA6
EUFood preparations n.e.s. without milkfat, sugar or starch2106 90 92TariffImport duty12.8%0% (since 1 Aug 2020)MFN for Thailand and ChinaEVFTA6
EUSoy, nut, cereal and other plant drinks2202 99 11 to 2202 99 19TariffImport duty9.6%0% (since 1 Jan 2025)MFN for Thailand and ChinaEVFTA6
EUCashew kernels0801 32TariffImport duty0%0%0% for allEU MFN6
EUPrepared tropical nuts incl. cashew (roasted, flavoured, pastes)2008 19 12; 2008 19 93TariffImport duty7% (bulk); 10.2% (retail packs)0% (since 1 Aug 2020)MFN for Thailand and ChinaEVFTA6
EUOther protein substances (e.g. collagen peptides)3504 00 90TariffImport duty3.4%0% (since 1 Aug 2020)MFNEVFTA6
EUStuffed pasta, cooked (dumplings, some spring rolls)1902 20 91TariffImport duty; non-originating flour, starch or rice at most 20% of weight (D6.6)8.3% + EUR 6.10 per 100 kg0% (since 1 Aug 2020)MFNEVFTA6,27
EUStuffed pasta, uncooked1902 20 99TariffImport duty; flour cap as above8.3% + EUR 17.10 per 100 kg0%MFN for Thailand and ChinaEVFTA27
EUStuffed pasta with more than 20% fish or crustaceans (prawn dumplings)1902 20 10TariffImport duty; Vietnam is listed for EU entry of fishery products8.5%1.0% (2026, staged)MFNEVFTA; Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/40527,28
EUStuffed pasta with more than 20% meat (pork or chicken dumplings)1902 20 30Tariff and animal healthImport duty; entry of meat products needs an EU listing, which Vietnam lacks, so the line is closed to Vietnamese meat fillings in practiceEUR 54.30 per 100 kgEUR 6.787 per 100 kg (2026, staged)MFNEVFTA; Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, Annex XV as adopted27,29
EUPrepared frozen vegetables and mixtures (some vegetable rolls)2004 90 98TariffImport duty17.6%0%MFNEVFTA27
EUSoy sauce2103 10TariffImport duty7.7%0% (since 1 Aug 2020)MFNEVFTA6
EUCassava starch1108 14TariffImport dutyEUR 166 per tonnenot verified (EVFTA tariff-rate quota not checked)MFNEU MFN6
UKTextured protein; food preparations; plant drinks; prepared nuts; stuffed pasta; rice noodles; soy sauce2106 10 20; 2106 90 92 85; 2106 90 98 30; 2202 99 11 to 19; 2008 19 12 80; 2008 19 92 80; 1902 20 99 20; 1902 30 10 20; 2103 10TariffImport duty12%; 12%; 8%; 8%; 6%; 8%; 8% + GBP 14 per 100 kg; 6% + GBP 20 per 100 kg; 6%0% on all lines checkedThailand and China pay UK Global Tariff; Malaysia may use CPTPP (not checked)UKVFTA30
JapanTextured vegetable protein (other than retail protein concentrates)2106.10-222TariffImport duty10.6% (WTO)Free (Japan-Viet Nam EPA; also CPTPP free)Thailand free; China 6.6% (RCEP); Korea no RCEP concessionJVEPA, AJCEP, CPTPP, RCEP31
JapanNon-alcoholic beverages without added sugar (plant drinks)2202.99-200TariffImport duty9.6% (WTO)FreeThailand free; RCEP ASEAN 6%; China no RCEP concession listedJVEPA, CPTPP31
JapanRoasted cashew nuts2008.19-191TariffImport duty11% (WTO, heading A)FreeThailand free; China 5% (RCEP)JVEPA, CPTPP31
UKStuffed pasta (including meat and prawn); chay food preparations, claimed under UK-CPTPP instead of UKVFTA1902 20; 2106 90 98TariffImport duty; CPTPP needs only a change of chapter (1902) or subheading (2106)8% + GBP 14.00 per 100 kg (uncooked); GBP 45.00 per 100 kg (more than 20% meat); 8% (2106)0% on stuffed pasta of all kinds; 1.6% on chay preparations (2026)UK Global TariffUK-CPTPP32,33
JapanStuffed pasta, other (vegetable, plant-protein, pork or chicken dumplings)1902.20-220TariffImport duty21.3% (WTO)3.8% (CPTPP, fiscal 2026); no Japan-Viet Nam EPA concessionChina and Thailand 21.3% (no concession): Vietnam's edge 17.5 pointsCPTPP34
JapanStuffed pasta with more than 20% meat or seafood, prawn-led1902.20-210TariffImport duty5.1% (WTO)0.9% (CPTPP)China and Thailand 5.1%CPTPP34
JapanOther food preparations (chay preparations; line assignment not verified)2106.90-299TariffImport duty15% (WTO)Free (CPTPP); no Japan-Viet Nam EPA concessionChina 15%; Thailand 13.5%CPTPP31
CanadaStuffed pasta; food preparations n.e.s.1902.20.00; 2106.90.99TariffImport duty11%; 10.5%Free (CPTPP)11% and 10.5%, or preferential rates if eligible (not checked)CPTPP35
USStuffed pasta (largest market for Vietnamese stuffed pasta, USD 48.1 million in 2025)1902.20.00TariffImport duty6.4%6.4% plus the Section 301 surcharge6.4% (other US measures not checked)No preference36,37
Korea; AustraliaStuffed pasta1902.20TariffImport duty5% (applied, 2023)Preferential rates not read (Korea-Viet Nam FTA, AKFTA, RCEP; CPTPP, AANZFTA, RCEP)Not readRCEP and CPTPP need only a change of chapter38,39
USAll Vietnamese goods except exempt list (incl. plant-based foods, instant noodles, shrimp)allTariffAdditional Section 301 duty from 24 Jul 2026MFN (varies)MFN + 12.5%Thailand +12.5%; Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Ecuador +10%; EU and Taiwan capped at 10% total; Japan and Korea capped at 12.5% totalSection 301 (forced labour import prohibition investigations)37
USAll imports (2026 history)allTariffIEEPA tariffs struck down 20 Feb 2026; Section 122 10% surcharge 24 Feb to 24 Jul 2026n/an/an/aLearning Resources v. Trump; Proclamation 1101240
EUPlant-based meat products (and future cultivated meat)n/aLabelling32 terms restricted: meat, beef, veal, pork, poultry, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, lamb, mutton, ovine, goat, drumstick, tenderloin, sirloin, flank, loin, steak, ribs, shoulder, shank, chop, wing, breast, liver, thigh, brisket, ribeye, T-bone, rump, baconn/an/aApplies to all products sold in the EU (inferred)Targeted CMO revision (March 2026 trilogue), effective 19 Aug 202641
EUPlant-based dairy alternativesn/aLabellingDairy designations (milk, cream, butter, cheese, yoghurt) reserved for milk productsn/an/aApplies to allCJEU C-422/16 TofuTown, 14 Jun 201742,41
EUMycoprotein from new strains, precision-fermented proteins, cultivated meat, microalgae new to EUn/aNovel foodPre-market authorisation if not consumed to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997; consultation procedure to check statusn/an/aSame for all originsRegulation (EU) 2015/2283; Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/45643
SingaporeNovel foods incl. cultivated meat and precision-fermentation proteinsn/aNovel foodPre-market safety assessment for foods without at least 20 years of safe usen/an/aSame for all originsSFA novel food framework (page updated 27 Aug 2026)44
USNew food ingredientsn/aFood additive or GRASGRAS via scientific procedures or history of use; FDA proposed rule to enhance oversight of GRAS uses, 10 Aug 2026n/an/aSame for all originsFD&C Act 201(s), 409; 21 CFR 170.30; docket FDA-2025-N-326245
EUSoy and derived products listed in EUDR Annex IAnnex I (not retrieved)Deforestation due diligenceDue diligence, geolocation and deforestation-free proof, from 30 Dec 2026 (large and medium operators) and 30 Jun 2027 (small). Fish and crustaceans are not covered commodities, so shrimp and pangasius are not reached through their feed (our reading)n/an/aSame for all originsRegulation (EU) 2023/1115 as amended Dec 2024 and Dec 2025; Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/210246,47
Aquaculture buyers (ASC-certified supply chains)Aquafeed for ASC-certified shrimp and pangasiusn/aPrivate standardFeed mill commitment to deforestation- and conversion-free soy and palm (cutoff no later than 31 Dec 2020); eligible soy and palm bought at least equal to the volume in ASC feed sold (medium-risk ingredients may count as non-eligible to 2 Feb 2029); feed stuffs need due diligence only on the ingredient maker; any ingredient under 1% of a mill's yearly aquafeed intake counts as eligible, with no credit; marine ingredient improvement; GHG per tonne of feed reported yearly, no targetn/an/aSame for all originsASC Feed Standard v1.2, mandatory since 2 Feb 2026 (v1.1 never took effect); 15 Vietnamese mills certified and 6 in initial audit (25 Sep 2026)48,49,50
Aquaculture buyers (ASC-certified farms)Farmed shrimp and pangasiusn/aPrivate standardAll ASC farm audits use the Farm Standard from 1 May 2028; compound feed must come from an ASC-certified mill (indicator 1.4.3); GMO disclosure above 0.9%n/an/aSame for all originsASC Farm Standard v1.0.1 (effective 5 Aug 2026)51,52
Aquaculture buyers (BAP-certified chains)Aquafeedn/aPrivate standard75% certified or improvement-project fishmeal (suspended to 1 Jul 2027 where none is made nationally); 50% certified soy; ingredients from algae and other aquatic microorganisms count towards the marine target; yeast or bacteria grown on sugar not addressedn/an/aSame for all originsBAP Feed Mill Standard 3.3, amendment 1 (5 Aug 2026)53
Compound feed mills (GLOBALG.A.P. chains)Compound feedn/aPrivate standardNo illegal, unreported or unregulated fish; FEFAC soy sourcing guidelines; nothing on novel ingredientsn/an/aSame for all originsGLOBALG.A.P. Compound Feed Manufacturing v3.154
UK retailProducts containing or raised on soy, incl. farmed seafood feedn/aPrivate commitmentDeforestation- and conversion-free soy (cutoff 2020 or earlier), fully implemented by end 2025, incl. soy embedded in aquaculture feedn/an/aSame for all originsUK Soy Manifesto55
EU and UK retailOwn-brand and contract food suppliersn/aPrivate requirementIFS Food or BRC with annual independent audits (Lidl Nederland); 74.8% of Carrefour-brand plants IFS or BRC certified and 7.3% Carrefour-audited (2025); Sedex for Sainsbury's own-brand tier 1 sites; FSSC 22000 not named by these buyers; no minimum order quantities publishedn/an/aSame for all originsRetailer purchasing policies and reports56,57,58
Muslim-majority markets (GCC, Malaysia, Indonesia)Plant-based and cultivated foodsn/aHalal certificationImporter-recognised halal certificationn/an/aMalaysia declared cultivated meat halal (Dec 2025)National halal schemes (not retrieved)59,60
Korea, ChinaPlant-based foods and ingredients2106.10; 2106.90; 2202.99TariffPreferential duty under VKFTA, ACFTA, RCEPnot verifiednot verifiednot verifiedVKFTA; ACFTA; RCEP

D6.4 European retailers: plant-protein targets and how they source

RetailerMethodPlant shareYearTargetSource
Lidl NederlandEiweet, all foods42.7% then 43.1%2023; 202450% in 2025; 60% by 2030 (about 2.8 points a year needed, our calculation)61
Lidl NederlandWWF, protein-rich foods excluding dairy25.46% then 25.84%2023; 202435% by 2030 (1.53 points a year needed)61
Ahold Delhaize European brandsProtein weight, all SKUs45%2025At least 50% by 2030; Albert Heijn 60%62
Six Dutch chainsProtein Tracker"changed little since 2023"202460% by 203063
Lidl GermanyWWF, all food; protein-rich55.3%; 11%202420% protein-rich by 203064
Aldi SudWWF, all food; protein-rich56.4%; 13%2024None64
ReweWWF, all food54%202460% by 203564
Sainsbury'sWWF basket, protein group14%, 13%, 13%, 13%2022/23 to 2025/26None65
TescoWWF, protein-rich9%2024/25Sales of meat alternatives up 300% by 2025; no split target64
Lidl GBTonnage share of plant proteinsnot publishedn/a25% by 203066
CarrefourSales of plant-based alternatives (legumes excluded)EUR 621 million then 664 million2024; 2025EUR 1 billion by 203057

Shares measured by different methods cannot be compared; the full set is retailer_protein_split.csv, and the buyers' targets, requirements and Vietnam links are in export_buyer_register.csv.

How they source . Lidl's food supplier list for 2025 deliveries has 751 entries, 374 in Germany, almost all others in Europe and none in Asia; Asian foods reach it through European importers and traders on the list 67. Lidl GB's 390 national suppliers are 95% British (our calculation) 68. Sainsbury's top five food-supplying countries by site are the UK, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands 58. Where targets bite, retailers use pulses, price parity and hybrids made in Europe: Albert Heijn launched 15 hybrid meat and dairy products with field bean protein in 2025 with "mixed" results, and Lidl sells a 60/40 beef and pea mince below the price of beef mince 62,61. Our reading is that a Vietnamese co-packer supplies a European importer or brand owner, which holds the contract, the specification and the liability, and that the targets are not a pull for Asian-made analogues .

D6.5 Wrapped foods and textured protein: mirror trade and products abroad

Partner-reported imports from Vietnam, Thailand and China, USD million (UN Comtrade mirror data) 7 :

LineImporterVietnam 2024Vietnam 2025Thailand 2025China 2025
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)United States28.0848.0813.954.32
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)EU27 (extra-EU)29.5932.4414.2047.38
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)Japan12.5315.533.5119.92
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)United Kingdom12.0714.836.7414.63
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)Korea18.6913.342.111.83
Stuffed pasta (1902.20)Australia12.2210.630.8016.68
Textured protein (2106.10)EU27 (extra-EU)0.030.010.4142.58
Textured protein (2106.10)Japan0.250.140.0311.52
Textured protein (2106.10)Korea0.270.320.0429.93
Textured protein (2106.10)United States1.451.491.8417.03
Textured protein (2106.10)United Kingdom0.000.010.5523.46

Vietnam out-supplies China and Thailand in stuffed pasta in the US, the UK and Korea and is second to China in the EU, Japan and Australia; US imports from Vietnam grew 71% in 2025, before the Section 301 surcharge. In textured protein, the same tariff edge coincides with near-zero sales, because China's price and scale dominate (our reading) . The full series, with volumes, is wrapped_food_trade.csv.

What Vietnam-made wrapped and plant foods abroad contain 69,70,71 :

Product (brand, seller)MarketsWrapperProtein sourceProtein, g per 100 gOrigin evidence
Battered fishless fillets (Plant Pioneers, Sainsbury's)UKBatterJackfruit 28%5.4Crowd-sourced record
Katsu curry vegetable steamed buns (Menyu, Waitrose)UKLeavened wheat doughVegetables 33%5.2Crowd-sourced record
Vegetable spring rolls with edamame (Royal Asia, Costco)Canada; USWheat pastryEdamame; minor wheat and soy proteinnot recordedCrowd-sourced record
Gluten-free vegetable gyoza (Mr Chen's)AustraliaRice flour, corn and tapioca starchVegetables, mushrooms, bean curd skin3.6Crowd-sourced record
Prawn and mangetout gyoza (Marks and Spencer)UK; Belgium; France; NetherlandsWheat flourTiger prawns 37%8.8Crowd-sourced record
Dim sum with shrimp (Migros)Switzerland; FranceRice flour and starches, or wheatShrimp 40 to 50%7 to 12Crowd-sourced record
Prawn hargow (Mr Chen's, Coles)Australianot readPrawnsnot readRetailer label "Made in Vietnam"
Dry soy chay pieces (An Nhien); chay analogues (Au Lac)France; Germany; Spain; Norway; ColombianoneImported soy isolate48 to 61; 40 to 42Vietnamese barcode prefix

Vegetable-led wrapped foods carry 3.6 to 5.4 g of protein per 100 g and seafood-led ones 7 to 12 g; none lists textured soy as a main ingredient. Protein-rich chay travels as Vietnamese brands through Asian grocers, not through supermarket private label.

Who owns the capacity. CJ's Kizuna plant (Can Giuoc, Tay Ninh; opened February 2022; FSSC 22000, HACCP, halal) was built as its first export base for dumplings and rolls to Japan, the EU and Australia; CJ will make its dumplings for Europe in Hungary from the second half of 2026 72,73 . Company pages show BRC or BRCGS claims at Cholimex Food, GN Foods and SG Food; we could not count certified sites because the BRCGS and IFS databases need logins 74,75,76 .

D6.6 Rules of origin: the recipe conditions on the tariff edge

Agreement (markets)Stuffed pasta (1902.20)Chay food preparation (2106.90)Imported Chinese textured soyImported wheat flour or glutenSource
EVFTA (EU27)Change of heading; non-originating rice, flours and starches (1006, 1101 to 1108) at most 20% of weight; meat and fish (chapters 2, 3, 16) at most 20%; chapter 4 at most 20%; sugar at most 40%Change of heading; chapter 4 and sugar capsDumplings: not limited. 2106.90: up to 10% of weight or ex-works price. Seasoned textured soy made from imported textured soy: never originatingFlour milled from imported wheat is non-originating and counts toward the 20% cap; gluten (1109) is not capped77
UKVFTA (UK)Identical to EVFTAIdenticalIdenticalIdentical78,33
CPTPP and UK-CPTPP (UK, Japan, Canada, Australia and others)Change from any other chapterChange of subheading, or 30% (build-up) or 40% (build-down) regional value contentAllowedAllowed; flour milled in Vietnam from imported wheat is originating78,33
RCEP (Japan, Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, ASEAN)Change of chapterChange of heading or 40% regional value contentDumplings: allowed. 2106.90: regional value content routeAllowed39
None (US)Most-favoured-nation duty whatever the recipeMFNNo effectNo effect36

All rows are rules, read as revealed requirements . Four details matter for recipes 77 :

  • Caps count only non-originating materials. Vietnamese farmed shrimp and pork, rice and cassava are wholly obtained, so a shrimp dumpling with Vietnamese prawns and a rice or cassava wrapper meets every cap.
  • The tolerance cannot lift a cap. The 10% general tolerance may not be used to exceed the 20% flour cap.
  • Milling counts. Flour bought from a Vietnamese mill that grinds imported wheat is non-originating (chapter 11 requires wholly obtained cereals); Vietnamese rice flour and cassava starch are originating.
  • The tolerance text offers weight or value. It reads "10 per cent of the weight of the product or ex-works price"; we read this as the exporter's choice, which an official view should confirm. On the value reading, Chinese textured soy at USD 1.27 to 1.34 per kg CIF may make up about 32 to 46% of the weight of a product selling at USD 4.27 to 5.87 per kg (our calculation) .

Classification decides the rule: a spring roll with a pasta-type wrapper is stuffed pasta; one classed as prepared vegetables needs only a change of heading; one with more than 20% meat classed in 1602 needs Vietnamese-raised meat. For domestic textured soy (T1) the rules set a design condition, not a demand: extruded from imported defatted soy flour or soybean meal it is originating under all four agreements; extruded from imported concentrate it is not 77,33,39 .

Does the recipe switch pay? Replacing 10 to 20% dry Chinese textured soy with domestic supply changes cost by minus USD 0.14 to plus 0.06 per kg of product. In an EU-bound chay preparation with 15 to 20% dry textured soy, where the weight reading binds, the duty saved (USD 0.38 to 0.53 per kg plus an agricultural component) is at least seven times the worst-case switch cost; but cutting imported textured soy to 10% and adding isolate or gluten meets the rule at similar cost, and in dumplings the rule never binds on soy. Only seasoned dry textured soy exported as such needs domestic soy to be originating, and the EU imported USD 0.01 million of it from Vietnam in 2025 (our calculation) 79,27,7 . The duty at stake by line is in export_tariff_at_stake.csv and the rules in origin_rules_by_agreement.csv.

D6.7 Feed: inactive yeast trade and ASC-certified mills

Inactive yeasts and other dead single-cell organisms (HS 2102.20), partner-reported (mirror) trade 80,10 :

YearFlowValue, USD millionVolume, tUnit value, USD per kgOf which below USD 2 per kg: t at USD per kgMain partners by tonnage
2019Imports into Vietnam8.283,8282.163,354 at 1.28China, Brazil, France
2021Imports into Vietnam11.427,9041.447,583 at 0.93Indonesia, China, Brazil
2023Imports into Vietnam10.449,6051.099,288 at 0.84Cambodia, China, Indonesia
2024Imports into Vietnam12.969,3361.398,980 at 1.12China, Cambodia, Indonesia
2025Imports into Vietnam (lower bound)13.539,1931.478,729 at 1.10China 4,236 t; Brazil 2,712 t; Serbia 940 t
2025Exports from Vietnam11.378,1661.39n/aUnited States, Japan, Canada

Feed and food use cannot be separated at six digits; unit values of about USD 1 per kg suggest mostly feed-grade product (our inference). The 2025 import figure is a lower bound because some partners had not reported. The full series is inactive_yeast_trade.csv. On 25 September 2026 the ASC register listed 15 certified Vietnamese feed mills, the most of any country (15 of 114), and 6 more in initial audit; the certificate list is asc_feed_mills.csv and the buyer register feed_buyer_register.csv 50 .

Related: Export demand, S3. Regional, Feed and aquafeed market.

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