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)
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
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