In spite of having the largest tuna fishing fleet in EU, the country still looks for raw tuna from many origins in the world due to restriction in fishing quota. In 2011, the country spent over US$436 million on buying tuna.
With high demand of raw tuna for producing tuna canneries amid shortage of domestic raw material supply, Spain imported tuna (fresh, chilled, frozen and loin) from other origins, including Vietnam.
For the year to date, Spain is one of member countries of EU which reported the most impressive growth in tuna imports from Vietnam (triple digit growth). According to Vietnam Customs statistics, in 2011, Spain ranked the fourth out of EU countries in tuna imports from Vietnam but till Feb 2012, the market outreached to the third position.
Vietnam tuna products exported to Spain was diversified, including processed/canned tuna In two recent years, tuna shipped to Spain was mainly frozen tuna fillet. Through July 2012, tuna fillet export value achieved over US$5.9 million, up 33.5 percent; fresh, live, frozen, dried tuna exports reached US$2.51 million - up 1,783 percent compared to the same period of 2011.
Yellowfin tuna, longfin tuna and skipjack tuna are widely used in canned tuna production in Spain. Mexico, the Philippines, Netherlands Antilles, South Korea and Senegal are the main suppliers of yellowfin tuna (fresh, live, frozen) for Spain. Among 37 suppliers of yellowfin tuna for the market, Vietnam ranked the 15th position. Indonesia and Thailand also exported this product to Spain but low export value.
Although hurt by European economic slowdown, Spain is still the largest tuna consumer in EU and tuna imports into the market are likely to surge in the upcoming time. Consuming demand of fresh tuna in Spain tends to decline while demand of processed and frozen finfish is on an upward trend thanks to reasonable price.
In 2012, with the favorable conditions in raw material supply (yellowfin tuna catch was up 30 percent through August over 2011), Vietnam tuna exports to Spain are expected to continue rising sharply in the near time. Spain still belongs to top 3 largest importers of Vietnam tuna among EU.
|
Canned tuna demand in Spanish retail market (Unit: US$ million) |
||||||
|
Products |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Canned tuna |
1,180 |
1,221 |
1,262 |
1,303 |
1,343 |
1,383 |
(Source: datamonitor, 2012)
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn