In the US market, after a recovery in February, Vietnamese tuna exports to this market fell by 23% in March. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US caused the country to impose a shutdown. Accordingly, the number of people allowed in public places is limited, citizens are required to restrict participation in activities ... this has reduced the demand for tuna in this market.
Similarly, Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU also dropped by over 27% in March 2020. With the number of cases and deaths from Covid-19 increasing in EU countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany, Vietnam's main tuna importers, trading activities to these markets are leveled off. The system of restaurants and hotels that have stopped operating to avoid spreading Covid-19 has also reduced demand for tuna in the market. Besides, inventories on the EU market are at high levels, even higher than before the Covid-19 outbreak. The reason is that the tuna price in the world market at the end of 2019 at a low level has made businesses hoard more. At present, although the contract has been signed, the market has no demand, many export shipments to the EU market have not been delivered or detained.
ASEAN continued to be the third-largest importer of Vietnam, in the first 3 months of 2020, export value to this market reached 9.6 million USD, down nearly 15% compared to the same period in 2019. In particular, Thailand - the largest single importer of Vietnamese tuna in the bloc, also down 15% over the same period in 2019. On March 24, 2020 the Thai government decided to declare a national emergency to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, which also led to the suspension of many orders of tuna to this market.
In addition to the major importers, Vietnamese tuna exports to other markets such as Japan, Canada or Egypt are showing optimistic growth over the same period in 2019. However, the value of exports to these markets is still small.
Thus, it can be seen that the outbreak of Covid-19 has been affecting tuna trade activities in the world. Besides, the pandemic also caused the trend of tuna consumption in the world market to change. According to statistics of markets, the application of social distancing measures in countries has led to a sharp decline in demand for live, fresh and frozen tuna. Meanwhile, demand for small-size canned tuna rose thanks to increased demand for the stockpile of consumers. This common trend is causing businesses to look for a way to increase production and export of processed tuna, reducing exports of fresh, or frozen.
However, the outbreak of pandemic is also affecting the supply of raw tuna in the world. Specifically, due to concerns about the spread of the pandemic, many Pacific Island nations implemented orders to blockade completely or declared an emergency, preventing ships from entering and unloading at ports. This also caused a limited supply of raw materials, affecting tuna production.
Meanwhile, the tuna catches in the Western and Central Pacific region are low, which has caused the price of raw tuna in this area to rise, the raw tuna price in Bangkok rose by 50% since the end of February. While, prices in other regions such as Malta, Seychelles remain stable, and are at lower levels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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