By the end of May 2020, Vietnam's tuna export value reached nearly US$ 241 million, down nearly 20% compared to the same period in 2019. Export to most of the top 10 importers of Vietnamese tuna declined in value. Except for exports to Japan spiked by 31% and to Egypt surged by 76% over the same period in 2019.
Due to the impact of the epidemic, the demand for canned tuna products in the world continues to rise, which has also affected Vietnam's tuna exports. According to Customs statistics, only Vietnamese canned tuna exports have increased by 9% over the same period in 2019.
The US: Vietnamese tuna export to this market has not shown any sign of recovery. By the end of May 2020, Vietnamese tuna export value to the US was only nearly US$102 million, down 21% compared to the same period in 2019.
So far, the COVID-19 epidemic has continued to be complicated in the US, which has increased the demand for preserved food products in the country, including canned tuna. Therefore, canned tuna exports to this market still lifted by nearly 11% over the same period in 2019.
EU: The EU was also affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, especially in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Lockdown measure imposed in some countries like Italy caused a decline in the demand for seafood as the business of catering services, restaurants, hotels, and schools were closed. The business stall caused seafood distributors to reduce prices, affecting the price of imported seafood. Meanwhile, Vietnam's tuna product is difficult to compete with similar products from countries such as the Philippines and Ecuador due to high taxes. Besides, Vietnamese tuna was also affected by the yellow card warning by EC. Hence, Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU are facing many difficulties. By the end of May 2020, Vietnamese tuna export value to the EU reached US$ 48 million, down 11% compared to the same period in 2019. Of which, exports to Italy and the Netherlands in May fell, while exports to Germany continue to rise.
ASEAN: By the end of May 2020, the value of tuna exports to ASEAN reached US$15 million, down 17% from the same period in 2019. Thus, up to this point, ASEAN has been the third-largest importer of Vietnamese tuna (after the US and EU), accounting for 6.4% of the total tuna export value. Notably, tuna export to the biggest market in the region, Thailand also fell by 68%, exports to the Philippines decreased by 50% but the export value to Singapore increase sharply by 438% compared to the same period in 2019. This is the market that reached the highest growth among the top 10 importers of Vietnamese tuna.
With the complicated situation of the Covid-19 epidemic in major importers such as the US, the EU, ... tuna exports in the second quarter could hardly escape the negative growth. In the 3rd quarter, if the disease situation in some large importers is under the control, production, and business activities reopen, the tuna export will have a chance to recover.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
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