Canned tuna exports plunge by 50%
According to data from Vietnam Customs, the export value of canned tuna in April 2025 reached only USD 15.8 million—a 50% drop compared to April 2024. This is one of the lowest monthly values recorded since January 2023.
Industry insiders attribute this sharp decline to major regulatory challenges, particularly those outlined in Decree 37/2024/NĐ-CP. These include strict rules on the minimum size of fish allowed to be caught, and a prohibition on mixing domestically sourced wild-caught seafood with imported wild-caught seafood in the same export batch. These regulations have significantly affected both tuna fishing and export operations, especially for canned tuna.
In contrast, other categories of tuna products posted growth in April. Most notably, processed tuna products under HS code 16—mainly frozen steamed tuna loins—rose by 62% year-on-year. Frozen tuna fillets/loins also recorded a 15% increase.
Exports to several key markets saw mixed trends in April 2025.
In the U.S. market, following the country’s temporary 90-day suspension of a proposed 46% retaliatory tariff on imports from Vietnam, Vietnamese exporters attempted to take advantage of the window to boost shipments. However, exports to the U.S. have started to slow, reaching nearly USD 36 million in April—up just 3% year-on-year.
Similarly, tuna exports to the EU also showed signs of slowing. The export value to this bloc rose by 11% year-on-year, totaling nearly USD 21 million in April. The Netherlands, Italy, and Germany remain the top three importers of Vietnamese tuna in the EU. While exports to the Netherlands and Italy continued to grow, shipments to Germany declined compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, geopolitical instability in the Middle East is having a significant impact on Vietnam’s tuna exports to this region. Exports to Israel dropped sharply by 57% in April. Cumulatively, exports to Israel in the first four months of 2025 were down nearly 62% year-on-year. Exports to Saudi Arabia also declined by 35%.
After two months of strong growth, exports to Canada reversed course in April, falling to just under USD 3 million—a 27% decline compared to April 2024.
With domestic raw material bottlenecks still unresolved, and ongoing geopolitical tensions and policy changes in key markets, Vietnam’s tuna exports are likely to face an even steeper decline in the coming months.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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