Vietnam’s tuna exports to the Middle East Opportunities to increase value
09:46 03/26/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After reaching a peak of nearly USD 6 million in June 2024, the export value of Vietnamese tuna to Italy has stagnated and continuously declined in the last five months of the year. Cumulatively, by December 15, 2024, export turnover to this market decreased by 18% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching over USD 30 million. With this decline, Italy is no longer Vietnam's largest tuna import market within the EU bloc.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In November 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports failed to maintain the rapid growth momentum seen earlier. Export value during the month increased by nearly 4% year-on-year, reaching approximately USD 82 million. Cumulatively, the export value for the first 11 months of 2024 totaled USD 903 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, at this growth rate, the total export turnover for 2024 is estimated to only reach around USD 1 billion.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan have seen robust growth over the past two months. Data from Vietnam Customs shows that in October 2024 alone, tuna exports to Japan surged by 31% year-on-year, reaching nearly USD 3.5 million. This growth has offset the decline experienced in the first half of the year, raising the total export value for the first ten months of 2024 to nearly USD 28 million, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam's tuna exports in October reached nearly $93 million, marking a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In the first ten months of 2024, the total export value exceeded $821 million, up 18% compared to the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was signed after just over a year of negotiations. With high demand for premium seafood in the UAE, particularly for shrimp and tuna products, Vietnam’s tuna industry is expected to gain increased export opportunities and higher product value thanks to the preferential terms of the CEPA.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In recent years, Israel has consistently been a top export market for Vietnamese tuna, following the US and EU. Therefore, the recent escalating tension between Israel and Iran is affecting Vietnam's tuna exports to this market. Enterprises are worried about having to halt export orders to this market in the coming months.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's exports of frozen tuna meat/loin have continuously grown during the first eight months of 2024. Notably, in August 2024, the export value of frozen tuna meat/loins hit a year-to-date high, exceeding $51 million, up 19% compared to the same period.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In July 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU showed signs of decline compared to the same period, down 14%. In the first half of August, although Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU increased, exports of canned tuna continued to decrease sharply.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Some farmers in Soc Trang province have successfully applied a balanced biological shrimp farming technique, which eliminates the use of chemicals to minimize environmental impacts. This is a model of farming that adapts to climate change.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In July 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports continued to maintain growth momentum over the same period, increasing by 14% to nearly 87 million USD. However, the export growth rate is slowing down a lot compared to previous months. Cumulatively, in the first 7 months of the year, tuna export turnover reached 558 million USD, an increase of 22%.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The world's demand trends for aquaculture in recent years and in the coming years, opportunities and challenges related to broodstock, diseases, aquaculture feed… stories of a leading Vietnamese and world-famous animal feed manufacturer about creating sustainable impacts on the aquaculture value chain...

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the past three consecutive months, Vietnam's tuna exports to South Korea have grown at a three-digit rate. Notably, tuna exports to this market in June reached a peak. The export value to this market reached nearly 6 million USD, nearly 6 times higher than the same period in 2023.

(seafood.com.vn) Over the past 3 consecutive months, Vietnam’s tuna exports to South Korea have been growing at a triple-digit rate. Notably, tuna exports to this market in June reached a record high. The export value to this market reached nearly $6 million, nearly 6 times higher than the same period in 2023.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2023, Vietnam's tuna exports to Spain continuously declined. This decreasing trend continued in the first 2 months of the year. However, since March 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports to this market have grown continuously at a high level over the same period.

Tuna exports are projected to reach 456.8 million USD in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 20%, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).


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